Culture, Genital
Test Code
Clinical Significance
Culture, Genital - The significance of any isolate(s), in pure or mixed culture, must be assessed with respect to the source cultured, the organism's pathogenic potential, the possibility of colonization versus infection, and the number of other organisms recovered from the same culture.
Test Resources
Clinical Focus
Vaginitis: Laboratory Testing for Diagnosis and ManagementTest Details
If culture is positive, identification will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 87077 or 87140 or 87143 or 87147 or 87149). Antibiotic susceptibilities are only performed when appropriate (CPT: 87181 or 87184 or 87185 or 87186).
Methodology
Includes routine isolation and identification procedures. Antibiotic susceptibility testing when appropriate.
Alternative Name(s)
Preferred Specimen(s)
Collect vaginal, endocervical, urethral, prostatic secretions using a red cap Amies liquid transport swab, blue cap Amies gel transport swab, ESwab (white-cap) or equivalent.
Note: This assay does not rule out Neisseria gonorrhoeae (use test "Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) Culture") or Group B streptococci (use test "Streptococcus, Group B Culture").
Alternative Specimen(s)
Red-top liquid Amies tube
Minimum Volume
One transport swab
Collection Instructions
Indicate source of specimen on both the test requisition and specimen transport device
Transport Container
Transport swab
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
- Transport swab and sterile container
- Room temperature: 48 hours
- Refrigerated: Unacceptable
- Frozen: Unacceptable
Reject Criteria
Expired transport swabs • Frozen specimens or requests for anaerobic culture
Setup Schedule
Note: This assay does not rule out Neisseria gonorrhoeae (use test "Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) Culture") or Group B streptococci (use test "Streptococcus, Group B Culture").
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: Unacceptable