Test directory: C. diphtheriae Culture

Ordering Code5681
Test NameC. diphtheriae Culture
AliasDiphtheria Culture
Corynebacterium diphtheriae Culture
Preferred SpecimenNasopharyngeal, Throat or Wound Swabs
Preferred ContainerSilica Gel Transport (Provided by DLS or the State
Department of Health)
Other Specimen/ContainerNasopharyngeal, Throat or Wound Swabs in Bacterial Transport (e.g. Culturette) acceptable on Oahu collected specimens
Optimum Volume2 Swabs
Collection InstructionsContact Hawaii State Lab for notification of specimen submission, so that media and reagents can be prepared for the culture. Sterile Silica gel transport tubes can be requested from the State Lab as well as from the DLS
Microbiology Department
DO NOT use silica gel transport if the color is no longer blue
Collect nasopharyngeal and throat cultures at the site of membrane or inflammation
Complete DOH form 81.3 (including but not limited to: patient identifier, date of onset of illness, clinical signs and symptoms, travel history, immunization history, name and address of authorized orderer).
Transport RequirementsOahu: Ambient
Airline: Ambient
Specimen StabilityAmbient:
Swabs in Silica Gel Transport =>2 Days
Swabs in Bacterial Transport (e.g. Culturette) = 2 Days
Rejection CriteriaFrozen, Refrigerated, Improper container or handling,
Obvious microbial contamination, Mis-labeled or unlabeled specimen, Specimen beyond stability limits, Missing, improper or incomplete requisition form (DOH form 81.3)
Avail. StatNO
Analytic TimeUp to 2 Weeks
TAT is longer if the organism is isolated. ID will be done by the State Lab and forwarded to the CDC for confirmation and toxin testing.
MethodologyCulture
Reference Lab Dept of Health

Reference range(s)

The reference ranges listed below are valid on this date of April 27, 2024.
ComponentAgeMale NormMale Critical LowMale Critical HighFemale NormFemale Critical HighFemale Critical LowUnitsAdd'l info
C. diphtheriae CultureALLSee report.