Tests recommended in sexual assault

  • Gonorrhea: culture all penetrated orifices for N. gonorrhoeae. A nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) should also be performed on specimens collected from the urethra (males), endocervix/urethra (females), urine (males and females) and from extragenital sites, as appropriate. This test is generally more sensitive than genital culture and may be acceptable for medico-legal purposes if confirmed by a second set of primers or, in some cases, a second test sent to another laboratory.
  • Chlamydia: A nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) should be performed on specimens collected from the urethra (males), endocervix/urethra (females), urine (males and females) and from extragenital sites, as appropriate. Although culture for C. trachomatis has traditionally been used for medico-legal purposes, it is insensitive and not widely available. If available both culture and NAAT should be collected.
  • Serology (baseline and follow up):
Infection Baseline Follow up (weeks)
Syphilis EIA 4
HIV Anti-HIV 4, 24
Hepatitis B HBsAg, HBsAb 12
Hepatitis C Anti-HCV 12, 24

 

  • Pregnancy test - baseline and at 3 weeks following emergency contraception if no menses.