Test directory: GC Screen

Ordering Code625
Test NameGC Screen
AliasGC Culture
Gonorrhea Culture
Neisseria gonorrhoeae Culture
Preferred SpecimenGenital, Rectal or Throat Specimen
Preferred ContainerModified Thayer-Martin (MTM) Media in CO2 atmosphere.
Other Specimen/ContainerGenital, Rectal or Throat Swab in Culturette with bacteriostatic media (e.g. Eswab)
Optimum Volume1 inoculated MTM media or 2 swabs
Collection InstructionsGenital: Prior to collection, allow MTM media to come to room temperature. Females: Swab endocervical canal, avoiding contaminating the swab with vaginal secretions. Males: Patient's last urination should be at least 1 hour prior to collection. Strip the urethra toward the orifice to express exudate. Use a sterile swab to obtain specimen. Indicate specimen source on the requisition
Rectal: Prior to collection, allow MTM media to come to room temperature. Collect anorectal specimens from the crypts just inside the anal ring. Indicate specimen source on the requisition
Throat: Prior to collection, allow MTM media to come to room temperature. The swab should be taken from the tonsillar area, and/or posterior pharynx. Care should be given to avoid the tongue and uvula. Indicate specimen source on the requisition.
Handling InstructionsImmediately after collection, inoculate Thayer-Martin media by rolling swab(s) onto the surface of the media. Place media in special bag. Open CO2 pill packet and place in bag
Seal bag securely to preserve the CO2 atmosphere.
Transport RequirementsOahu: Ambient
Airline: Ambient
Specimen StabilityAmbient: Plate in CO2 = 1 Day, Swab = 1 Day
Specimen will be accepted up to 1 Day, but fastidious organisms such as GC may not remain viable unless processed immediately after collection. The recommended (and preferred method) of submission is immediate plating to MTM media and placement into a CO2 environment.
Rejection CriteriaDry cotton swab, Frozen, Refrigerated, Chocolate agar plate instead of MTM received, MTM agar plate NOT in CO2 atmosphere
Avail. StatNO
Analytic TimeUp to 3 Days
Preliminary at 24 hours
Additional time is required for identification if culture is positive.
MethodologyVisual examination of bacterial growth on selective media with identification of isolates for Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Reference range(s)

ComponentAgeMale NormMale Critical LowMale Critical HighFemale NormFemale Critical HighFemale Critical LowUnitsAdd'l info
Source:ALLSee report.
Report Status:ALLSee report.
CultureALLNO GC ISOLATEDNO GC ISOLATED