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Test Code LAB3639 Culture, GC Screen

Important Note

This culture is for Neisseria gonorrhoeae screening only.  If other pathogens are also to be screened for, order the appropriate culture for the site collected in addition to this culture or note in the order comments to rule out Neisseria gonorrhoeae.  Neisseria gonorrhoeae is screened for as part of the Genital Culture for genital sources and it is not required to order the GC Screen separately in this case.

Clinical System Name

Culture, GC Screen

Synonyms

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

GC

GC Screen

LAB3639

Sample Requirements

Specimen: Vaginal, cervical, penile, urethral, throat, rectum

Container: BD ESwab 

Preferred Vol: N/A

Minimum Vol: N/A

 

Please consult the Photo Swab Guide to determine which swab to collect.
See GC PCR for collection of samples for rapid testing for N gonorrhoeae.

 

 

Main Campus collection: Samples should be collected using the BD ESwab. Transport to Microbiology ASAP for culture set up. This swab is appropriate for both culture and gram stain.

 

Regional Clinic collection: Samples collected at off-site locations should be collected using the BD ESwab..

 

 

 

 

Processing Instructions

CPA: Send sample to Microbiology for processing.

 

Off-site collection:  GC screen cultures are not set up at Off-site Children's Lab locations. Swabs should be kept at room temperature until and during transport to SCH Microbiology Laboratory. 

 

 

Stability

BD ESwab
Temp Time
Room temp 24 hours  
Refrigerated Do not refrigerate
Frozen N

 

 

Availability

Procedure Performed Turn Around Time (TAT)
Gram Stain 24/7

1 hours
Culture 24/7 72 hours

 

Cultures are read at appropriate intervals to detect early bacterial growth. STAT culture requests are not applicable.

Performing Laboratory

Seattle Children's Laboratory

 

Department

Microbiology Laboratory

CPT Codes

87081

This test is not limited to the CPT codes listed.  Others may be added as more testing is necessary and depending on the pathogens isolated (such as MIC's and ID's)

Description

Includes Bacterial Culture for Neisseria gonorrhoeae only.  Please order the appropriate culture to screen for other pathogens.

 

Note: The preferred (and more rapid) test for diagnosis of GC is the Neisseria gonorrhoeae PCR (often ordered along with Chlamydia trachomatis PCR). See CT GC PCR, GC PCR, CT PCR.

 

For forensic evaluations, please see Photo Swab Guide - Sexual Assault and order the appropriate PCR tests through the appropriate PowerPlan.

 

 

Reporting Information

Preliminary Report:  18 - 24 hours

Negative Final Report: 72 hours

 

Notifiable Result

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a Notifiable Condition under Wash State Law.

 

See Link below for Notifiable Conditions for WA state labs:

https://doh.wa.gov/public-health-healthcare-providers/notifiable-conditions

 

See Link below for PDF of phone numbers for Local Health jurisdictions (by County) in WA State:

https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1200/LHJCommunicableDiseaseReporting.pdf