Abstract: A swab lysis tube, comprising: a tubular body portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface further comprising an interior structure around the circumference of the tubular body portion at approximately the midpoint along the axis of the tubular body portion, and extending from the interior surface towards a center of the tubular body portion, said interior structures comprising a lower surface with a defined edge; a tapered tip at an end of the tubular body portion adjacent to the lower surface of the interior structure, said tapered tip having a cross-sectional area equal to the tubular body portion at one end, and a closed tip with a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the tubular body portion at the opposite end; and a cap retaining portion at a first end of the tubular body portion opposite the tapered tip.