Streptococcus Group B Culture

Test Code

GBS

CPT Codes
87081

Includes

If culture is positive, identification will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 87077 or 87140 or 87143 or 87147 or 87149). Antibiotic susceptibilities are only performed when appropriate (CPT code(s): 87181 or87184 or87185 or87186).

Preferred Specimen

Prepartum patients: Obtain one or two swabs using either a red cap, Amies liquid transport medium swab or blue cap, Amies gel medium swab of the vaginal introitus and the anorectum as recommended by the CDC Non-pregnant patients: All sources are acceptabl

Transport Container

Transport swab

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

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

Swabs >48 hours old ; Expired transport device ; Received frozen specimens ; Viral transport devices ; DNA probe transport devices

Methodology
Bacterial culture, aerobic isolation and identification.Procedure includes broth enhancedculture.

Clinical Significance

GroupB Streptococci can be one of the most significant pathogens in the neonatal period. The organism is transmitted to the newborn through the birth canal. Prepartum vaginal introitus and anorectal cultures are important to determine carriage.

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.