Culture for Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Message

For additional PCR testing options see links below.

Test Code

C GC

Alias/See Also

GC Screen/Culture

Includes

Culture for Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Preferred Specimen

Any site or fluid, collected in sterile container,
Endocervical (cervical) or urethral swabs should be submitted, in that order of preference, if GC is suspected.
Appropriate culture swab or eSwab, such as for throat, rectal, or eye specimens.

Instructions

NOTE: For medical/legal cases, for GC or Chlamydia, the CULTURE METHOD is currently the only acceptable testing methodology.

Transport Temperature

Ambient/ Room Temperature

Specimen Stability

Use of eSwab is recommended for the recovery of N. gonorrhoeae if the specimen cannot be set up to media and incubated within 2 hrs.
For Fluid: Send to the Lab within 30 minutes of collection.
For Swabs: Send to the Lab within 2 hours of collection. Swabs received after 24 hours will be rejected.
Send ambient / room temperature.

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Unacceptable specimens:
Dry swabs
Swabs or fluids with delayed transport time
Non-sterile or leaking containers
Refrigerated or frozen specimens
Swabs other than eSwabs, such as from collection kits for Amplified Probe or othe DNA testing
Vaginal swabs are not recommended for GC culture

Report Available

A preliminary culture report will be available <24 hours.

A final negative culture report will be generated <3 days.

All positive cultures will be reported immediately.

Clinical Significance

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is considered a pathogen whenever isolated and its identification is important in initiating appropriate therapy to prevent the spread of the infection as well as the serious sequelae.

Additional Information
Chlamydia trachomatis/Neisseria gonorrhoeae RT-PCR Assay- Wyoming, TCH, and PCMH
Chlamydia/Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) Combo Amplification- McKee
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) Amplification- McKee
Chlamydia trachomatis Amplification- McKee
Chlamydia trachomatis /N. gonorrhoeae by Nucleic Acid Amplification (EC/URE/VAG/Urine)- Arizona Sites
Chlamydia trachomatis/GC/Trichomonas by Nucleic Acid Amplification (EC/URE/VAG/Urine)- Arizona Sites
Chlamydia trachomatis/Neisseria gonorrhoeae RNA, TMA, Rectal- Arizona Sites
Chlamydia trachomatis/Neisseria gonorrhoeae RNA, TMA, Throat- Arizona Sites

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.