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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.