β-Hemolytic Streptococcus Culture, Group A Only

TEST: 008169
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CPT: 87081
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Synonyms

  • Beta-Hemolytic Streptococcus Culture, Group A Only
  • Culture, Throat, Group A Beta-Hemolytic Streptococci Only
  • Strep Groups A Culture
  • Strep Throat Only

Test Includes

Culture for isolation of group A Streptococcus only. CPT coding for microbiology and virology procedures often cannot be determined before the culture is performed. Routine susceptibility testing is not performed on group A streptococci because penicillin continues to be the drug of choice. There has been no resistance reported and surveillance for resistance is not recommended. If the patient is penicillin allergic, susceptibility test may be requested in the clinical information field. It will be performed at an additional charge. Requests with only a written order and no test number indicated will be processed according to Default Testing for Routine Microbiology.

Expected Turnaround Time

2 - 3 days

Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.

Related Information

Related Documents

For more information, please view the literature below.

Microbiology Specimen Collection and Transport Guide

Specimen Requirements

Specimen

Material from posterior pharynx, tonsils, or other inflamed area

Volume

One or two swabs

Container

Bacterial swab transport containing Amies gel (preferred) or double dry Dacron swab

Collection

Both tonsillar pillars and the oropharynx should be swabbed. Do not allow the swab to touch the tongue.

Storage Instructions

Maintain specimen at room temperature.

Causes for Rejection

Unlabeled specimen or name discrepancy between specimen and request label; inappropriate specimen transport device; leaking specimen; specimen received after prolonged delay (usually more than 48 hours); expired transport

Test Details

Use

Isolate and identify group A β-hemolytic streptococci; establish the diagnosis of strep throat

Methodology

Culture

Additional Information

Rheumatic fever remains a concern in the United States and serious complications including sepsis, soft tissue invasion, and toxic shock-like syndrome have been reported to be increasing in frequency;1 therefore, timely diagnosis and early institution of appropriate therapy remains important. Timely therapy may reduce the acute symptoms and overall duration of streptococcal pharyngitis. The sequelae of poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis and rheumatic fever are diminished by early therapy.

As group A streptococci are uniformly susceptible to penicillin, there is no indication for monitoring susceptibility to penicillin and the emergence of resistance. Susceptibility testing is not routinely performed.

Footnotes

1. Givner LB, Abramson JS, Wasilauskas B. Apparent increase in the incidence of invasive group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal disease in children. J Pediatr. 1991 Mar; 118(3):341-346. 1999773

References

Facklam RR. Specificity study of kits for detection of group A streptococci directly from throat swabs. J Clin Microbiol, 1987; 25(3):504-8. 3553226
Kaplan EL. The rapid identification of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci in the upper respiratory tract. Current status. Pediatr Clin North Am. 1988 Jun; 35(3):535-542. 3287313
Nadler HL. Group A strep detection. Diagn Clin Test. 1989; 27(3):35-41 (review of rapid methods).
Rapid diagnostic tests for group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Med Lett Drugs Ther. 1991 May 3; 33(843):40-41. 2014015
Veasy LG, Wiedmeier SE, Orsmond GS, et al. Resurgence of acute rheumatic fever in the intermountain area of the United States. N Engl J Med. 1987; Feb 19; 316(8):421-427. 3807984

LOINC® Map

Order Code Order Code Name Order Loinc Result Code Result Code Name UofM Result LOINC
008169 Beta Strep Gp A Culture 11268-0 008169 Beta Strep Gp A Culture 11268-0

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