Which specimens can be used for NAAT testing?

• A. Blood samples
• B. Saliva samples
• C. Nasal swabs
• D. Vaginal swabs or urine specimens

Answer: (D)

NAATs detect the genetic material of pathogens with high sensitivity, so choosing specimen types that reliably contain the organism is key. For screening common urogenital infections like Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in women, vaginal swabs or first-catch urine are the validated options. These samples come from the sites where the bacteria reside and yield accurate results, and they are the ones routinely recommended in guidelines.

Blood is not used for these NAATs because CT/NG are primarily located in mucosal surfaces rather than circulating in blood, making detection less reliable. Saliva and nasal swabs are suited to respiratory pathogens, not to urogenital CT/NG testing. So vaginal swabs or urine specimens are the appropriate choices for NAAT testing in this context.