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Genital Culture, Routine

CPT

87070

Synonyms
  • Culture, Genital, Routine
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  • Updated on 03/21/2025

Test Details

Methodology

Culture; MALDI-TOF and/or biochemicals for identification

Culture

Culture; MALDI-TOF and/or biochemicals for identification

Result Turnaround Time

3 - 5 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 Documents

Test Includes

Culture; isolation, identification (additional charges/CPT code[s] may apply), and if culture results warrant, susceptibility testing (at an additional charge). CPT coding for microbiology and virology procedures often cannot be determined before the culture is performed. Requests with only a written order and no test number indicated will be processed according to Default Testing for Routine Microbiology.

Use

Isolate and identify potentially aerobic pathogenic organisms, including Gardnerella vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae; establish the diagnosis of gonorrhea in medicolegal cases

Isolate and identify potentially aerobic pathogenic organisms, including Gardnerella vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae; establish the diagnosis of gonorrhea in medicolegal cases.

Isolate and identify potentially aerobic pathogenic organisms, including Gardnerella vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae; establish the diagnosis of gonorrhea in medicolegal cases

Special Instructions

Specify specimen source and pertinent clinical information on the request form. Specimens from other sources, such as genital, stool, urine, upper and lower respiratory specimens, cannot be cultured under the aerobic bacterial culture test number. If specimens are incorrectly submitted with an order for aerobic bacterial culture, the laboratory will process the specimen for the test based on the source listed on the request form. The client will not be telephoned to approve this change, but the change will be indicated on the report. Check expiration date of transport; do not use expired devices.

Limitations

Does not include Trichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mobiluncus sp., or yeast speciation. For antepartum screening at 36 to 37 weeks of gestation for maternal Group B Streptococcus colonization, use Group B Streptococcus Colonization Detection, NAA [188132] or Group B Streptococcus Colonization Detection, NAA With Reflex to Susceptibilities [188139].

Does not include Trichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mobiluncus sp, or yeast speciation. For antepartum screening at 35 to 37 weeks of gestation for maternal Group B Streptococcus colonization, use Group B Streptococcus Colonization Detection, NAA [188132] or Group B Streptococcus Colonization Detection, NAA With Reflex to Susceptibilities [188139].

Does not include Trichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mobiluncus sp., or yeast speciation. For antepartum screening at 36 to 37 weeks of gestation for maternal Group B Streptococcus colonization, use Group B Streptococcus Colonization Detection, NAA [188132] or Group B Streptococcus Colonization Detection, NAA With Reflex to Susceptibilities [188139].

Specimen Requirements

Specimen

Swab of vaginal, endocervical, endometrial, urethral or prostatic secretions or discharge; semen

Swab of vagina, cervix, discharge, aspirated endocervical, endometrial, semen, prostatic fluid, or urethral discharge. Use swab to inoculate Jembec for transport to the laboratory and recovery of Neisseria gonorrhoeae; swab should also be sent in transport device.

Swab of vaginal, endocervical, endometrial, urethral or prostatic secretions or discharge; semen

Volume

One swab or 0.5 mL

One swab and one inoculated Jembec; or one swab

One swab or 0.5 mL

Container

One swab in Amies agar gel bacterial swab transport; ESwab; sterile cup; bacterial culture transport swab with media

Bacterial culture transport swab with gel and Jembec; sterile cup; bacterial culture transport swab with media

One swab in Amies agar gel bacterial swab transport; ESwab; sterile cup; bacterial culture transport swab with media

Collection Instructions

Female: Do not use lubricant on speculum. Cervical mucus should be removed first before inserting swab into endocervical canal, move swab from side to side allowing several seconds for absorption of organisms by the swab. Return swab to the transport tube and label.

Male: Using small wire swab, gently scrape the anterior urethral mucosa, or use a swab to collect specimen of urethral discharge.

Female: Do not use lubricant on speculum. Cervical mucus should be removed first before inserting swab into endocervical canal, move swab from side to side allowing several seconds for absorption of organisms by the swab. Return swab to the transport tube and label.

Male: Using small wire swab, gently scrape the anterior urethral mucosa or, use a swab to collect specimen of urethral discharge.

Female: Do not use lubricant on speculum. Cervical mucus should be removed first before inserting swab into endocervical canal, move swab from side to side allowing several seconds for absorption of organisms by the swab. Return swab to the transport tube and label.

Male: Using small wire swab, gently scrape the anterior urethral mucosa, or use a swab to collect specimen of urethral discharge.

Storage Instructions

Maintain swab transport at room temperature. Do not refrigerate.

Maintain specimen swab and Jembec at room temperature. Do not refrigerate.

Maintain swab transport at room temperature. Do not refrigerate.

Causes for Rejection

Inappropriate specimen transport device; unlabeled specimen or name discrepancy between specimen and request label; specimen received after prolonged delay (usually more than 72 hours); specimen received in expired transport

LOINC® Map

Order Code Order Code Name Order Loinc Result Code Result Code Name UofM Result LOINC
008334 Genital Culture, Routine 10352-3 008334 Genital Culture, Routine 10352-3
Order Code008334
Order Code NameGenital Culture, Routine
Order Loinc10352-3
Result Code008334
Result Code NameGenital Culture, Routine
UofM
Result LOINC10352-3
Reflex Table for Genital Culture, Routine
Order Code Order Name Result Code Result Name UofM Result LOINC
Reflex 1 997603 Result 997241 Result 1 6463-4
Reflex 1
Order Code997603
Order NameResult
Result Code997241
Result NameResult 1
UofM
Result LOINC6463-4
Reflex Table for Genital Culture, Routine
Order Code Order Name Result Code Result Name UofM Result LOINC
Reflex 1 997603 Result 997242 Result 2 6463-4
Reflex 1
Order Code997603
Order NameResult
Result Code997242
Result NameResult 2
UofM
Result LOINC6463-4
Reflex Table for Genital Culture, Routine
Order Code Order Name Result Code Result Name UofM Result LOINC
Reflex 1 997603 Result 997243 Result 3 6463-4
Reflex 1
Order Code997603
Order NameResult
Result Code997243
Result NameResult 3
UofM
Result LOINC6463-4
Reflex Table for Genital Culture, Routine
Order Code Order Name Result Code Result Name UofM Result LOINC
Reflex 1 997603 Result 997244 Result 4 6463-4
Reflex 1
Order Code997603
Order NameResult
Result Code997244
Result NameResult 4
UofM
Result LOINC6463-4
Reflex Table for Genital Culture, Routine
Order Code Order Name Result Code Result Name UofM Result LOINC
Reflex 1 997603 Result 997245 Antimicrobial Susceptibility 23658-8
Reflex 1
Order Code997603
Order NameResult
Result Code997245
Result NameAntimicrobial Susceptibility
UofM
Result LOINC23658-8