|
|
| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Culture, Throat
Test CodeCULTURE,THROAT
Alias/See Also
Throat culture
Includes
Culture
Preferred Specimen
Swab
Instructions
Throat cultures are contraindicated for patients with an inflamed epiglottis.
For throat cultures use a tool such as a tongue depressor to lower the tongue and swab the red inflamed tonsils area at the back of the throat or wherever pus is visible. After site is swabbed using a swab culturette, place swabs directly into the swab container so that the swab portion is seated in the foam and the other end is connected to the red top. Do not break off the swab into the swab container.
Throat Cultures will test for the presence of beta hemolytic Streptococci, mainly Group A but also others such as Group B and large colony Group C and G. Only Group A Strep will be noted as isolated or not isolated. Presence of yeast can be reported upon request if oral candidiasis/thrush is suspected or if there is an overgrowth of yeast. Providers may request specific rule-out of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) however normal flora can overgrow the presence of GC and it cannot be ruled out based on the result of the throat culture.
For throat cultures use a tool such as a tongue depressor to lower the tongue and swab the red inflamed tonsils area at the back of the throat or wherever pus is visible. After site is swabbed using a swab culturette, place swabs directly into the swab container so that the swab portion is seated in the foam and the other end is connected to the red top. Do not break off the swab into the swab container.
Throat Cultures will test for the presence of beta hemolytic Streptococci, mainly Group A but also others such as Group B and large colony Group C and G. Only Group A Strep will be noted as isolated or not isolated. Presence of yeast can be reported upon request if oral candidiasis/thrush is suspected or if there is an overgrowth of yeast. Providers may request specific rule-out of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) however normal flora can overgrow the presence of GC and it cannot be ruled out based on the result of the throat culture.
Transport Temperature
Room temperature: ≤ 2 hours
Specimen Stability
Refrigerated: ≤ 24 hours
Setup Schedule
Daily
Report Available
TAT
48 hours
48 hours
Reference Range
No Group A Strep. isolated.
Performing Laboratory
Test performed in the West Roxbury Microbiology Laboratory
Contact: Scott Connolly 857-203-5954
Last Updated: October 19, 2023
