Using the Mawi iSWAB™ Microbiome Collection Kit

Welcome to your Mapmygenome sample collection guide. If you are taking a gut microbiome or genomic health test, your kit includes the advanced Mawi iSWAB™-Microbiome Device.

Unlike traditional kits, the Mawi system uses a proprietary internal chamber insert designed to strip material off a collection swab and lock the microbial DNA/RNA into a stabilization liquid. The swab is discarded after collection, so you only send the tube of liquid back to our lab.

📋 Before You Begin

• Do Not Discard the Liquid: The Mawi tube contains a specialized, non-toxic stabilization buffer. Do not pour it out, drink it, or allow it to touch your eyes or skin.

   

   

• Do Not Touch Swab Tips: Keep the fabric tip of the collection swab completely clean. Do not let it touch your hands or any surfaces before collecting your sample.

• Medication Notice: If you have recently taken antibiotics, antifungals, or routine laxatives, please wait at least 14 days after finishing your medication before collecting your sample, unless otherwise directed by your physician.

• Avoid Contamination: The stool sample must not come into contact with toilet water or urine. Always empty your bladder completely before beginning the stool collection.

📦 What‘s Inside Your Kit

1. Mawi iSWAB™ Collection Tube (pre-filled with stabilization liquid and fitted with an internal scraper insert).

    

    

2. Collection Swab(s) (packaged in a sterile peel-pouch).

3. FecesCatcher (flushable toilet paper matrix with adhesive strips).

    

    

4. Biohazard Specimen Bag.

5. Barcode Label / Patient ID Sticker.

6. Pre-paid Return Shipping Box.

🚶‍♂️ Step-by-Step Collection Guide

Step 1: Preparation & Labeling

• Wash and dry your hands thoroughly.

• Take the patient ID sticker and write your Full Name, Date of Birth, and the Date & Time of Collection clearly using a ballpoint pen.

• Attach the label securely to the side of the Mawi tube, ensuring you do not cover the tube’s original barcode.

• Tap the Mawi tube gently 2–3 times on a flat surface so all the stabilization liquid settles at the very bottom. Place the tube standing upright on a flat surface and unscrew the cap.

Step 2: Set Up the FecesCatcher

• Urinate into the toilet completely before starting.

• Unfold the FecesCatcher paper. Peel off the adhesive backings and stick the paper across the toilet seat rim, allowing a slight dip in the middle to form a hammock.

• Pass your stool directly onto the FecesCatcher paper. Do not let it touch the toilet water.

   

   

Step 3: Swab the Sample

• Peel open the swab pouch and remove the collection swab by its plastic handle.

• Insert the swab fabric tip firmly into the stool sample and rotate it several times.

• Ensure the swab tip is well-coated with stool (about 75% of the tip should be covered), but do not overload it with large chunks.

Step 4: Release the Sample into the Mawi Tube

• Pick up the open Mawi tube. Slowly push the coated swab tip into the tube through the central opening. You will feel some resistance—this is the internal insert designed to clean the swab. Push the swab all the way to the bottom.

• Hold the tube steady and move the swab up and down rapidly 10–15 times inside the liquid.

• Next, twist the swab against the tube walls to fully release the material into the stabilization liquid.

Step 5: Discard the Swab (Do Not Leave It In the Tube)

• Hold the tube firmly. Slowly remove the swab by pulling it upward with a corkscrew twisting motion. The internal insert will wipe the remaining liquid off the swab tip back into the tube.

• Properly dispose of the used swab in your household trash container. Do not place the swab back into the Mawi tube or the biohazard bag.

• Screw the Mawi tube cap back on tightly.

Step 6: Clean Up

• Detach the FecesCatcher paper from the toilet seat. The paper is completely biodegradable and flushable; drop it into the bowl and flush it away along with the remaining stool.

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Packaging & Shipping Instructions

1. Place the sealed, labeled Mawi collection tube (containing only the turbid liquid) inside the Biohazard Specimen Bag and seal it shut.

2. Place the biohazard bag inside the original Mapmygenome shipping box.

3. Log into your Mapmygenome portal or contact our logistics desk to arrange a courier pickup.

4. The Mawi stabilization liquid protects your sample at room temperature, so refrigeration is not required during transit. Please arrange for shipping within 24–48 hours of collection.

    

    

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Do I leave the swab inside the Mawi tube when I ship it?

A: No. This is a common mistake. The Mawi iSWAB™ system is engineered for "swab-free" transport. The swab must be swirled in the liquid to release the sample and then thrown away in your regular household trash before you seal the tube.

Q: What should I do if the liquid in the Mawi tube spills?

A: If the stabilization liquid spills, do not collect your sample. Contact Mapmygenome customer support immediately to request a replacement kit.

Q: Can I collect the sample if I am on my menstrual cycle?

A: It is highly recommended to wait until your menstrual cycle has completely finished to avoid human blood contaminating your gut microbiome profile.

Need help? Contact Mapmygenome Support at support@mapmygenome.in or call us at 1800-102-4595.