To support better high-quality healthcare in Canada, LifeLabs is constantly innovating and evaluating its tools and resources. In alignment with this, LifeLabs will replace its current platform for molecular testing of Chlamydia/Gonorrhea and Trichomonas in Ontario from the BD Viper System to the Hologic Panther system this spring. The new test platform and associated methods have shown high sensitivity and specificity for detecting target pathogens in LifeLabs’ internal validation studies and independent studies published in the literature.  

The Hologic Panther system utilizes the Health Canada licensed, Aptima Combo 2 (CT/NG) and Aptima TV assays for the detection and differentiation of nucleic acids from Chlamydia trachomatis (CT)/Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), respectively, from urogenital specimens. 

How this will impact collection: 

This transition in testing methodology will begin on April 4, 2023, but the test ordering process will not be impacted. If CT/NG and/or TV infection is suspected, please indicate on the requisition, and submit for molecular testing as before. Please click here for an example requisition. 

However, all collection devices and containers used by the BD Viper systems will need to be replaced by new Aptima collection kits and containers. These will be available starting March 24, 2023. The previously used collection devices are not compatible with the new testing methodology. Starting April 24, we will not be accepting the previous collection devices.  

Acceptable specimen types and associated collection kits for CT/NG and TV testing are shown in the table below. The same specimen collection can be used for CT/NG and TV testing whenever applicable. However, when ordering multiple tests, customers must use a separate urine container for CT/GC and/or TV testing as the collected specimen for CT/GC/TV testing cannot be combined with another test. 

*Penile urethral specimens only 

Test performance characteristics for all specimen types listed above have been verified for the respective tests at LifeLabs’ Ontario and British Columbia laboratories. 

If you have any questions, please contact our Call Centre at 1-877-849-3637.