Abstract: A swab for collecting cell samples from a male urethra including a unitary elongate shaft having a constant diameter cylindrical handle at one end and a tapered circular cross-sectioned probe at the other end. The shaft is injection molded from a glass filled nylon material with the fiberglass being between 5 and 20 percent by volume and preferably being 10 percent by volume. A fiber tip is mounted at the end of the probe to collect cell specimens.

Abstract: An improvement in specimen kits that reduces significantly the possibility of contamination of the specimen by either user or container; of the patient by the swab used to obtain the specimen; and of a subsequent handler of the container by the specimen. It permits the collected specimen to be transported to the diagnostic processing laboratory in common, widely used medical specimen mailing containers, while permitting the use of swab lengths that are appropriate to the type of specimen desired. The improvement is made possible by a unique double-ended stopper that maintains the specimen container sterile until use, then acts as a cap for engaging the swab shaft for withdrawal while maintaining a tight and sterile shipping container after the specimen is taken and while it is subsequently handled.