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Culture, Strep A Screen
Message
This test is a screen for Streptococcus Group A only. Susceptibility testing must be requested at the time of test order and, if indicated, will be performed at an additional charge. For diagnostic purposes, clinical specimens should be collected before the initiation of therapy since even a few days of treatment may render the culture negative. Day(s) Test Set Up: Monday through Sunday
Test Code
CSTP
CPT Codes
87081
Instructions
1. Obtain specimen using a culture swab. 2. Remove cap and swab from tube. 3. Tilt patient’s head back to assist in opening of mouth as wide as possible. 4. Depress tongue with a tongue depressor so swab doesn’t touch tongue and also avoid lateral walls of buccal cavity. 5. Have patient say “ah” while sweeping back and forth across posterior pharynx. 6. If patient has complained of 1 spot being sore, swab that area well. 7. Swab 1 tonsillar area up then down. 8. Move to the back of throat as far down as possible and swab there. 9. Move to other tonsillar area and swab. D. Swab behind uvula and remove swab. 10. Return swab to a sterile culture transport tube. Note: Specimen source is required on request form for processing.
Transport Container
Red capped culture transport device.
Transport Temperature
Refrigerate
Methodology
Conventional culture
Reference Range
Negative for Grp A Steptococcus
Clinical Significance
Useful as a screening for beta hemolytic Streptococcus group A in throat specimens.
Last Updated: February 21, 2011
