Sign in →

Order Code GrpA w/Cult Rapid Group A Strep W Culture

Infectious

Additional Codes

Epic Order ID LAB9231I

Collection

Use only Rayon tipped throat swab

  1. If necessary, depress the tongue eith a tongue blade or similar device.
  2. Rub the swab on the back of the throat, on the tonsils, and in any other area where there is redness, inflammation, or pus.

Be careful not to touch the tongue, sides or top of the mouth with the swab. Do not use calcium alginate, cotton tipped, or wooden shafted swabs.

Rejection Criteria

Do not collect swabs from sources other than throat

Do not collect with swabs containing charcoal or semi solid media

Do not use calcium alginate, cotton tipped, or wooden shafted swabs

Notes

If rapid testing is negative, a culture is reflexed at an additional cost.

 

This test detects both viable and nonviable Group A Streptococci and may yield a positive result in the absence of living organisms.

 

This test does not differentiate Streptococcus serogroups other than Group A.

Clinical Significance

Group A Streptococcus is one of the most common causes of acute upper respiratory tract infection (19%). Early diagnosis and treatment of Group A Streptococcal pharyngitis has been shown to reduce the severity of symptoms and serious complications such as rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis