Haemophilus ducreyi – Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Consistent with O. Reg. 671/92 of the French Language Services Act, laboratory testing information on this page is only available in English because it is scientific or technical in nature and is for use only by qualified health care providers and not by members of the public.
Specimen Requirements
| Test Requested | Required Requisition(s) | Specimen Type | Minimum Volume | Collection Kit |
Haemophilus ducreyi
Chancroid |
Genital ulcer swab |
1.0 mL of fluid |
CHL(C) kit / Chlamydia trachomatis culture kit order # 390083 or a universal transport medium (UTM) for swabs. |
|
Haemophilus ducreyi
Chancroid |
Bubo aspirate |
1.0 ml |
Sterile container |
Submission and Collection Notes
The specimen of choice for the diagnosis of chancroid is a swab that has been taken from the base of the genital ulcer. A bubo aspirate is also a suitable specimen.
Use Dacron or cotton swabs to obtain specimens from ulcers. This is best collected by cleansing the area by flushing with sterile physiological saline, and then collecting material from the base of the ulcer using a Dacron or cotton swab. A bubo aspirate is obtained using needle and syringe to aspirate pustular material from the bubo through normal issue.
Swabs can be shipped dry OR in 1 ml Universal Transport Medium. Bubo aspirates should be placed in a sterile tube and shipped frozen. Store swabs frozen until shipped for testing. Ship frozen on dry ice.
Patient clinical history must be indicated on the requisition for testing to be performed at the NML. Documentation must include clinical background leading to suspicion of H. ducreyi infection in a patient, including any additional factors that may increase the probability of H. ducreyi infection. Chancroid is endemic in southeast Asia and Africa, but infrequent in the developed world. Travel to endemic areas must be indicated on the requisition.
Storage and Transport
Label the specimen container with the patient’s full name, date of collection, and one other unique identifier such as the patient’s date of birth or Health Card Number. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay.
Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)
Specimens submitted for Haemophilus ducreyi molecular detection by PCR are shipped every Thursday to the NML for testing.
Turnaround time is up to 28 days from receipt by PHO laboratory.
Haemophilus ducreyi PCR is a referred out test. Specimens will be shipped to the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in Winnipeg.
Refer to external resources – Haemophilus ducreyi Molecular detection by PCR.
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