Sign in →

Test Code LAB3852 Rapid Strep A PCR

Important Note

Submit throat swabs collected with white cap BD Eswab only.  Swabs from other sites or swabs other than the BD Eswab will be rejected. For other sites, see Strep Screen Culture.

Unacceptable swab types for Rapid Strep testing:

  • Cotton Tips
  • Swabs that have a wooden shaft
  • Calcium alginate swabs
  • Swabs in charcoal media
  • Swabs in semisolid (gel) media

If these swab types are collected, they may still be acceptable for culture.  Contact the Microbiology Lab for any questions.

Clinical System Name

Strep Group A PCR

Synonyms

LAB3852

Strep A 

Rapid Strep A

Rapid Strep A PCR
Streptococcus pyogenes
Strep Throat

Sample Requirements

Specimen:  Throat

Container(s): White cap BD Eswab

Preferred Vol: N/A

Minimum Vol: N/A

 

Please consult the Photo Swab Guide to determine which swab to collect.

 

Note: Additional follow-up testing by culture is recommended if the Xpert Xpress Strep A test result is negative and clinical symptoms persist, or there is an outbreak of acute rheumatic fever (ARF).

Swabs from other sites will be rejected for this test, see Strep Screen Culture for other sites. Use a BD ESwab for collection of non-throat samples. 

 

Unacceptable swab types for Rapid Strep testing:

  • Cotton Tips
  • Swabs that have a wooden shaft
  • Calcium alginate swabs
  • Swabs in charcoal media

Processing Instructions

Deliver to Microbiology Laboratory.

Reject due to: Age of Specimen, Swab from site other than throat, Wrong Sample Collection

Spin: N

Aliquot: N

Temp: RT

Storage location: None

 

Regional Clinic collection: Submit throat swab only (swabs from other sites will be rejected, see Strep Screen Culture for other sites). Use a white cap BD Eswab for collection.

Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Time
White Cap BD ESwab RT

≤ 48 h
2-8 C

6 Days
-20 C or -70 C

 N/A Do not freeze swabs

Availability

STAT Performed TAT
Y 24/7 35 min

Performing Laboratory

Seattle Children's Laboratory    

Department

Department:  Microbiology Laboratory

Phone Number: 206-987-2585

CPT Codes

87651

Methodology

Method: Cepheid GeneXpert Real-Time PCR

Reference Range

Negative