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Culture, Throat

Mnemonic

C TH

Synonym

Throat culture

Includes

Strep. pyogenes (Group A beta Strep), Group C beta Strep, Group G beta Strep, Arcanobacterium haemolyticum.  Does NOT include a rapid EIA test. 

Guidelines

Separate orders are available for Beta Strep Rapid Screen, Culture, Beta Strep Only and Culture, B Pertussis.

Specimen Collection Requirements

Patient Preparation

With the use of a tongue blade and good light for visualization, swab tonsillar crypts, areas of exudates or inflammation. Do NOT touch tongue or oral mucosa.

Collect

Use culture collection and transport swab.

View Swab Collection Guide

Handling

One swab in culture transport system, double swab is also acceptable. Specify if specific organism is requested, e.g. Neisseria gonorrhoeae, yeast.

Minimum Volume

1 swab in culture transport system

Transport

Room temperature

Rejection Criteria

Frozen specimen, nonsterile or leaking containers

Stability

Ambient: 24 hours

Testing Information

Performed

7 days/week

Reported

Preliminary Negative: 1 day; Final Negative: 2 days

Method

Standard Bacterial Culture

Reference Values

Reference Values

Normal oropharyngeal flora, no beta strep

Comments

Additional charges as needed for identification and to differentiate normal flora from pathogens (CPT 87077).

CPT Codes

87070, (87077 as needed)

Last Updated: Tuesday, January 12, 2021 01:47:51 AM

Client Services: 503-413-1234