Test Code LAB6012 Culture, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) ONLY
Additional Codes
Test Name in EPIC | EPIC Test Code | Mnemonic |
---|---|---|
CULTURE, GC | LAB6012 | CXGON |
Useful For/Utility
Diagnosis of Neisseria gonorrhea infections by culture.
Methodology
Direct smear included
Clinical Information
Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes the sexually transmitted disease, gonorrhea. It causes acute purulent urethritis in men and cervicitis in females, as well as pharyngitis, proctitis, conjunctivitis, salpingitis, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Infection may also occur by bloodstream dissemination to other sites, including the joints.
Specimen Requirements
Whenever possible, culture specimens should be obtained before antibiotics or antimicrobial agents have been administered.
Specimen source is required.
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Specimen Type: Bacterial culture swab (females), Liquid Amies Elution Swab (ESwab) Copan 480C, Copan 480CE
Container/Tube: Liquid Amies Elution Swab (ESwab) Copan 480C, Copan 480CE
Specimen Volume: Swab
Collection Instructions:
1. Calcium alginate, cotton, non-sterile, or wooden-shafted swab is not acceptable.
2. Remove excess mucus from cervix and discard.
3. Insert swab into cervix, and rotate swab for 15 to 30 seconds to ensure adequate sampling. In special situations where a cervical specimen is not indicated (ie, hysterectomized patient), a urethral or vaginal specimen may be submitted. If no urethral exudate is present, specimen may be obtained by inserting a mini-tipped swab into distal urethra.
4. Withdraw swab.
5. Return swab to pre-moistened transport tube. Dry swab is not acceptable.
Additional Information:
1. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and source/type of specimen.
2. Do not refrigerate.
3. If there is a delay in transport, process specimen as follows:
a. Inoculate and streak to Thayer-Martin (TM) and chocolate (CHOC) agar plates and make a direct smear.
b. Incubate plates at 33° C to 37° C in a Bio-Bag type C.
c. Transport to the laboratory within 72 hours.
4. Spermicidal agents and feminine powder sprays should not be used prior to collection.
Specimen Type: Culture swab (males), Liquid Amies Elution Swab (ESwab) Copan 480C, Copan 480CE
Container/Tube: Liquid Amies Elution Swab (ESwab) Copan 480C, Copan 480CE
Specimen Volume: Swab
Collection Instructions:
1. Calcium alginate, cotton, non-sterile, or wooden-shafted swab is not acceptable.
2. Collect specimen using a mini-tipped sterile culture swab as follows:
3. Patient should not have urinated for at least 1 hour prior to specimen collection.
4. Collect urethral discharge on swab. If patient is asymptomatic and there is no discharge, insert swab 2 to 4 cm into distal urethra. Rotate to ensure adequate sampling.
5. Withdraw swab.
6. Return swab to pre-moistened transport tube. Dry swab is not acceptable.
Additional Information:
1. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and source/type of specimen.
2. Do not refrigerate.
3. If there is a delay in transport, process specimen as follows:
a. Inoculate and streak to Thayer-Martin (TM) and chocolate (CHOC) agar plates and make a direct smear.
b. Incubate plates at 33° C to 37° C in a Bio-Bag type C.
c. Transport to the laboratory within 72 hours.
4. Spermicidal agents should not be used prior to collection.
Specimen Type: Rectal swab, Liquid Amies Elution Swab (ESwab) Copan 480C, Copan 480CE
Container/Tube: Liquid Amies Elution Swab (ESwab) Copan 480C, Copan 480CE
Specimen Volume: Swab
Collection Instructions:
1. Calcium alginate, cotton, non-sterile, or wooden-shafted swab is not acceptable.
2. Collect anorectal specimen using a sterile culture swab. Specimen should consist of mucopurulent material obtained from crypts just inside anal sphincter. Avoid contamination with fecal material.
3. Return swab to pre-moistened transport tube. Dry swab is not acceptable.
Additional Information:
1. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
2. Do not refrigerate.
3. If there is a delay in transport, process specimen as follows:
a. Inoculate and streak to Thayer-Martin (TM) and chocolate (CHOC) agar plates and make a direct smear.
b. Incubate plates at 33° C to 37° C in a Bio-Bag type C.
c. Transport to the laboratory within 72 hours.
Specimen Type: Synovial fluid
Container/Tube: Port-A-Cul vial
Specimen Volume: ≤5 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL
Additional Information: Label vial with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and source/type of specimen.
Specimen Type: Throat swab
Container/Tube: Culture transport
Specimen Volume: Swab
Collection Instructions:
1. Calcium alginate, cotton, non-sterile, or wooden-shafted swab is not acceptable.
2. Collect specimen using a bacterial culture swab.
3. Return swab to pre-moistened transport tube. Dry swab is not acceptable.
Additional Information:
1. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and source/type of specimen.
2. Do not refrigerate.
3. If there is a delay in transport, process specimens as follows:
a. Inoculate and streak to Thayer-Martin (TM) and chocolate (CHOC) agar plates and make a direct smear.
b. Incubate plates at 33° C to 37° C in a Bio-Bag type C.
c. Transport to the laboratory within 72 hours.
Specimen Transport Temperature
Ambient/Refrigerate NO/Frozen NO
Day(s) Test Set Up
Monday through Sunday
Performing Laboratory
Microbiology -
Central Region: St. Joseph's Medical Center Lab
East Region: SMDC Clinical Lab, Virginia Hospital Lab
West Region: Fargo Hospital Lab
Test Classification and CPT Coding
87070
Additional CPT codes will be billed when appropriate.
Reference Values
Negative for Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Additional Information
Culture was previously considered to be the gold standard. In comparison, nucleic acid amplification (NAAT) provides superior sensitivity and specificity and is now the recommended method for diagnosis in most cases.