Group B Strep DNA by PCR

Message

THIS TEST IS NOT INTENDED TO DIFFERENTIATE CARRIERS OF GROUP B STREPTOCOCCUS FROM THOSE WITH STREPTOCOCCAL DISEASE.

Test Code

GBDNA

CPT Codes
87653

Preferred Specimen

VAGINAL/RECTAL

Instructions

COLLECT VAGINAL AND RECTAL SWAB SPECIMEN USING THE CDC RECOMMENDED CLINICAL PROCEDURE.

Transport Container

BD CULTURETTE SWAB DEVICE

Transport Temperature

2-30C

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

NOT COLLECTED WITH CORRECT COLLECTION DEVICE, WRONG SOURCE FOR TEST REQUESTED, DELAY IN TRANSPORT.

Methodology
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

Setup Schedule

TWICE DAILY MONDAY-FRIDAY (10 AM/ 10 PM)

ONCE DAILY SATURDAY, SUNDAY, AND HOLIDAYS (NOON)

Report Available

SAME DAY

Reference Range

NEGATIVE

Clinical Significance

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a Gram positive bacterium found in the lower intestinal tract of 10-30% of all healthy adults. A person who carries GBS but does not show signs of GBS disease is said to be “colonized” with GBS.

GBS can cause severe disease in a newborn and is known to be a leading cause of life threatening bacterial infections in newborns. A number of strains of the pathogen circulate in the community, and approximately 80% of newborn infections are acquired during birth by vertical (mother-to-baby) transmission. Of those infected, 25% incur serious long-term consequences such as deafness, blindness and neurological damage. Approximately 100 babies die annually in the U.S. in the first three months of life as a result of GBS infection and half of these deaths occur during the first week of life.

The current standard of care for preventing neonatal GBS disease is screening pregnant women at 35-37 weeks of gestation to determine their GBS colonization status.

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.