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OpenSampling

2026 · Microbiology spectrum · paywalled

First-void urine and cervicovaginal brushes for vaginal microbiome profiling: a proof-of-concept study

Pinedo-Bardales et al.

The finding, in our words

In a small proof-of-concept, first-void urine and cervicovaginal brushes yielded high-quality vaginal microbiome profiles in most participants, comparable to vaginal swabs, offering non-invasive, user-friendly alternatives for research; however, storage at room temperature altered microbial composition in some first-void urine samples, indicating a need for careful handling.

A paraphrase to the Library’s standard, never the abstract. The source is one link away and is always the authority.

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  1. 2026

    This meta-analysis found that HPV testing using self-collected vaginal and urine samples showed sensitivities of 88.6% and 81% for detecting cervical precancer. Using a standardised device for first-void urine increased sensitivity to 86.6%, supporting decentralised patient-centric screening, though data on specificity and specific commercial devices were not consistently reported.

    Diagnostic Performance of HPV Testing Using Self-Collected Urine and Vaginal Samples for Detecting Cervical Precancer or Worse: A Meta-AnalysisHsiao et al., The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research (paywalled) · source ↗

    • urine
    • first-void
    • self-collection
    • validation
    • hpv
    • sti
  2. 2026

    DNA methylation markers in first-void urine effectively detect high-grade cervical lesions in HPV-positive women, with results similar to clinician-collected samples in those over 30. This enables reliable cervical cancer screening using self-collected urine, reducing the need for invasive follow-up procedures in decentralised settings.

    Evaluating DNA methylation markers and extended HPV genotyping in first-void urine for detecting high-grade cervical lesions in HPV-positive women: a cross-sectional studyTranberg et al., BMC medicine · source ↗

    • colli-pee
    • first-void
    • self-collection
    • hpv
    • urine
    • biomarkers
    • genotyping
  3. 2026

    A study of 2500 women found 99.0% agreement between first-void urine and vaginal self-sampling for HPV detection using Cobas4800, with 98.1% of participants preferring urine. Although conducted in a resource-limited setting which may limit generalisability, these results support urine as a viable sample type for decentralised, patient-centric screening.

    Comparative efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of HPV DNA testing on first-void urine versus self-collected vaginal samples: a real-world study in a resource-limited settingBose et al., BMJ global health · source ↗

    • urine
    • first-void
    • self-collection
    • acceptability
    • hpv
    • sti
  4. 2026

    This study found that self-collected vaginal swabs and first-void urine yielded comparable detection rates for vaccine-targeted high-risk HPV types, supporting the use of both patient-centric methods for decentralised surveillance. Vaginal swabs showed higher sensitivity for non-vaccine types, whereas urine sampling offers a non-invasive alternative.

    Comparison of self-collected vaginal swabs and first-void urine for detection of human papillomavirus in sexually active girls and women in three South Asian countriesTelele et al., PloS one · source ↗

    • urine
    • first-void
    • self-collection
    • hpv
    • sti
  5. 2026

    First-void urine and self-collected vaginal swabs showed similar sensitivity and specificity to clinician-collected cervical samples for high-risk HPV detection across two real-time PCR assays, supporting their use as decentralised, patient-collected alternatives; most women preferred first-void urine for regular cervical screening.

    Comparative performance of first-void urine and self-collected vaginal swabs against clinician-collected cervical samples using 2 HPV real-time assays in Indian womenA et al., Journal of gynecologic oncology (paywalled) · source ↗

    • acceptability
    • first-void
    • sti
    • self-collection
    • hpv
    • urine