Gonorrhea Culture

Brief Description

The identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is performed by determining the phenotypic characteristics of the culture, biochemicals, and MALDI. Specimens may be sent from STD approved health care providers. 

Laboratory Unit

Bacteriology

Methodology

  • Culture
  • Biochemicals
  • MALDI-TOF

Specimen Collection

The following specimen types can be transported via ESwab or InTray to GPHL 

  • Endocervical: 
    • Collect using a sterile polyester (Dacron), rayon, or nylon-flocked swab and place into commercially available Thayer Martin or Martin Lewis Transport media. A swab in a nonnutritive transport system may be used in place of enriched media. InTray kit can be used for collection and transport. 
  • Rectal: 
    • Collect using a sterile polyester (Dacron), rayon, or nylon-flocked swab and place into commercially available Thayer Martin or Martin Lewis Transport media. A swab in a nonnutritive transport system may be used in place of enriched media. InTray kit can be used for collection and transport. 
  • Oropharyngeal: 
    • Collect using a sterile polyester (Dacron), rayon, or nylon-flocked swab and place into commercially available Thayer Martin or Martin Lewis Transport media. A swab in a nonnutritive transport system may be used in place of enriched media. InTray kit can be used for collection and transport. 
  • Urethral: 
    • Collect using a sterile polyester (Dacron), rayon, or nylon-flocked swab and place into commercially available Thayer Martin or Martin Lewis Transport media. A swab in a nonnutritive transport system may be used in place of enriched media. InTray kit can be used for collection and transport. 

Storage/Transport

  • Store cultures in CO2 incubator at 35-37° C and ship in CO2 enriched atmosphere within 24 hours using ambient specimen outfit (15-30 °C).
  • For optimal results, inoculated plates should be transported directly to the laboratory the same day or pre-incubated within 1 to 2 hours after inoculation for minimum of 18 hours and a maximum of 24 hours at 37°C in an incubator which is monitored daily. If incubation is not possible or incubation criteria cannot be met, ship immediately to the laboratory. Note: Protect from extreme temperatures
  • Transport swabs in non-nutritive media at refrigerated (2-8°C) or room temperature (15-30°C) and specimen must be received within 24 hours of collection for processing.
  • Download this pdf file. FRM-QA 4 Refrigeration Outfit Guide

Acceptable Specimen Type(s)

  • Endocervical swab 
  • Rectal swab 
  • Oropharyngeal swab 
  • Urethral swab 

Test Request

Possible Results

  • Positive 
  • Negative 
  • Unsatisfactory 

Reference Range

Negative

Unacceptable Conditions

  • Missing testing requisition  
  • Missing minimum of 2 patient identifiers 
  • Improper labeling 
  • Specimen leaked, damaged, or crushed in transit 
  • Specimen received > 6 days from collection 
  • Specimen received in incorrect media 
  • Wrong specimen submitted 
  • Overgrown with contaminants 
  • Dried or expired media 
  • Media not inoculated - No streak 
  • Media compromised (appears to be frozen or overheated) 
  • No specimen received 

Interfering Substances

N/A

Result Reported

2 business days

Fees

Download this pdf file. Fee schedule

LOINC/Order Codes

698-1 (Order code: 1010) 

Additional Information

IN-TRAY package insert