title: Feasibility of collecting self-sampled vaginal swabs by mail: quantity and quality of genomic DNA.
abstract: Vaginal self-sampling may be valuable as an alternative method of cervical cancer screening in areas of poor resources, to enroll women who, otherwise, would not participate in population-based cervical cancer screening and in epidemiological follow-up studies. We assessed the reliability of mailed vaginal samples by evaluating the quantity and quality of genomic DNA in the samples. Mailed swabs (n = 201) were compared with freshly collected samples (n = 200) for DNA concentration (45.1 versus 50.9 ng/microl, respectively) and purity (mean optical density [OD] 260/280 ratio 1.88 versus 1.78, respectively). A small, non-significant, decrease in DNA yield with longer transport time was noted. The DNA yield of mailed samples was significantly lower compared to fresh samples (P < 0.002), but this lower yield had little effect on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. In conclusion, the large majority of mailed self-sampled vaginal swabs resulted in DNA of adequate purity and concentration for further research.
authors: Laboratory for Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology, University of Antwerp (CDE, T3), Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium. Marc.Baay@ua.ac.be
authors: M F D
authors: MF
authors: Baay
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Verhoeven
authors: H A J
authors: HA
authors: Lambrechts
authors: G G O
authors: GG
authors: Pattyn
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Lardon
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Van Royen
authors: J B
authors: JB
authors: Vermorken
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001530:Belgium; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011177:Postal Service; D016353:Self-Examination / Q000379:methods*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D014621:Vagina / Q000821:virology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral