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Culture, GC (Neisseria gonorrhoeae)

Culture, Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Alternate Test Name

GC

Epic Mnemonic
Sunquest Mnemonic

LAB235
GCC

Category

Microbiology

Result Availability

Negatives finalized at 72 hours

Specimen Required

Container

Mini-tip E-Swab for urethral specimens
Flocked E-Swab for other sources

Volume

1 swab

Collection Instructions

Endocervix:
• Insert speculum, wipe away cervical mucus with cotton ball
• Swab endocervical canal, moving swab from side to side
• Do not use disinfectant before specimen collection, avoid contaminating swab with vagina flora

Urethra:
• Collect urethral specimens from symptomatic & asymtomatic males at least 1 hour after urination
• Collect purulent discharge directly on a swab, or obtain specimen by gently scraping the mucosa of the anterior urethra with sterile urethral or nasopharyngeal swab inserted 2 cm into the urethra
• Collect femal urethra specimens in a similar manner

Anorectal Specimens:
• Insert a swab 4-5 cm into the anal canal
• Move swab from side to side to sample crypts
• Discard swab and recollect if fecal contamination occurs

Oropharynx:
• Swab posterior pharynx and the tonsillar crypts region

Conjunctiva:
• Obtain swabs of conjunctival exudate from infants (and occasionally other age groups)

Bartholin's Gland:
• Collect any draining pus on swabs, or aspirate material from closed abscesses with a syringe and needle

Blood:
• Obtain blood for culture from any patient with suspected disseminated gonococcal infection and inoculate directly into suitable culture medium

Joint Fluid:
• Aspirate material from possibly infected joints
• Transport the material into sterile specimen container

Skin Lesions:
• A small punch biopsy is preferable to material aspirated from lesion
• Transport the material into sterile specimen container
• Submit fluid samples in sterile container

GC/Chlamydia Collection Guidelines

Transportation Instructions

• Room temperature
• Do not refrigerate

Causes for Rejection

Received in improper transport media

CPT Codes

87081

Effective/Revised

1/17/13

 


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