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Throat Culture

Alternate Name: Throat Cul

SAL Code:

1104

CPT:

87070

Loinc:

547-0

Setup:

Daily

Department:

Microbiology

Performing Laboratory:

Sherman Abrams Laboratory

Methodology:

Methodology: Utilizing susceptibility reading of bacitracin in combination with catalase and latex agglutination test to identify beta hemolytic groups A, C, and G.

Specimen Requirements:

Primary Tube:

Culturette

Primary Substance:

BioMat

Rejection Criteria:

Rejection Criteria: Specimen collected on expired collection devices should be rejected and informed to the clinicians. • Improperly labeled specimen and/or specimen not submitted in appropriate transport device.

Clinical Info:

Clinical Info: Group A streptococcus colonizes the throat and skin and are responsible for various tissue related primary and secondary infections. Group A streptococci are most commonly associated with pharyngitis affecting primarily 5yo to 15yo and older individuals are susceptible to spread under crowded conditions. Beta hemolytic Group C and Group G streptococci are also capable of causing pharyngitis and should be distinguish from Group A.

Additional Information:

Turnaround Time: Preliminary reports in 5 hours, final in 2-3 days.

Test Limitations:

Test Limitations: False negative pharyngeal cultures can result from overgrowth of cultures with normal oropharyngeal flora. False positive pharyngeal cultures can result from misinterpretation of identification tests. Beta hemolytic group C and G streptococci can cause pharyngitis and fever, but they do not place patients at risk of acute rheumatic fever.

Specimen Handling Instructions:

Specimen Collection/Handling: Using a tongue depressor, the specimen is obtained with 1 or 2 sterile swabs from the tonsillar and/or posterior pharynx areas. Avoid the tongue, gums or teeth. Sample in transport media is stable for up to 24 hours. Two swabs are ideal for test orders that include Rapid Group A Strep test.

Test Information:

Components:

Component Name CPT Loinc
Preliminary Report 1 -