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Genital Culture
MessageSpecimen source is required on request form for processing.
As in other cultures, prior topical or systemic administration of antibiotics can retard or inhibit the recovery of pathogens.
As in other cultures, prior topical or systemic administration of antibiotics can retard or inhibit the recovery of pathogens.
Test Code
Lab1013
Alias/See Also
GCUL
CPT Codes
87070
Includes
Genital cultures are screened routinely for yeast, gardnerella, group B strep, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, among other organisms. No special request is necessary for these organisms. Since yeast grow so readily on our routine culture plates, a special fungus culture is not really necessary when yeast infection is suspected. A routine culture is sufficient to indicate their presence.
Anaerobes are often the cause of cervical abscess and infection. If an anaerobic infection is suspected, note this on the request slip. Also, swabs for anaerobic culture should be brought to the laboratory for plating immediately after collection or placed in special anaerobic transport tubes.
Anaerobes are often the cause of cervical abscess and infection. If an anaerobic infection is suspected, note this on the request slip. Also, swabs for anaerobic culture should be brought to the laboratory for plating immediately after collection or placed in special anaerobic transport tubes.
Preferred Specimen
Females: Swab of vagina or cervix OR endocervical or endometrial aspirates
Males: Urethral discharge
Males: Urethral discharge
Minimum Volume
1 mL
Instructions
Females:
Swab of vagina or cervix OR endocervical or endometrial aspirate collected as follows:
1. Do not use lubricant on speculum.
2. Remove cervical mucous before inserting swab from Culturette® into endocervical canal.
3. Move swab from side-to-side.
4. Return swab to Culturette®.
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
Males:
Urethral discharge collected as follows:
1. Instruct patient not to urinate for 1 hour prior to collection.
2. Use a Culturette® swab to collect specimen of urethral discharge.
3. Return swab to Culturette®.
4. If a Gram stain is requested also, make a smear of discharge on a labeled, glass slide and include with specimen; or include 2 swabs and laboratory will prepare slide.
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
Swab of vagina or cervix OR endocervical or endometrial aspirate collected as follows:
1. Do not use lubricant on speculum.
2. Remove cervical mucous before inserting swab from Culturette® into endocervical canal.
3. Move swab from side-to-side.
4. Return swab to Culturette®.
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
Males:
Urethral discharge collected as follows:
1. Instruct patient not to urinate for 1 hour prior to collection.
2. Use a Culturette® swab to collect specimen of urethral discharge.
3. Return swab to Culturette®.
4. If a Gram stain is requested also, make a smear of discharge on a labeled, glass slide and include with specimen; or include 2 swabs and laboratory will prepare slide.
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
Transport Container
ESwab (White Cap)
Transport Temperature
Ambient
Specimen Stability
Ambient – 24 hours
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Improper collection
Improper swab
Improper or no label
Improper swab
Improper or no label
Methodology
Conventional culture techniques
Setup Schedule
Daily
Reference Range
No growth
Clinical Significance
Identification of yeast, Gardnerella, group B strep, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and other organisms in genital specimens.
Performing Laboratory
Meritus Microbiology
Additional Information
Vaginal Swab Collection Video
Male Urethral Discharge Collection Video
