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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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GROUP B STREP CULTURE/PCR

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB2389    Geisinger Epic ID:  21989

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Vaginal/rectal swab combination


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
ESwab
BBL CultureSwab Liquid Stuarts single or double swab
Copan Venturi Transystem Liquid Stuart single or double swab
Cepheid sample collection device
Specimen required: 

One swab.


Special notes: 

Check expiration date on transport device before use.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Transport temperature: 

Transport swab specimen(s) to the laboratory at 2-8°C (temperatures between 2-30°C are acceptable). Specimens at room temperature are only stable for 24 hours.


Specimen stability: 

2-8°C for 48 hours. Room temperature (15-25°C) for 24 hours.


Rejection criteria: 

Improperly labeled/identified specimen. Expired collection or transport device/swab. Collection of specimen with non-approved swabs. Specimens which exceed stability limits. Improper specimen type.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 

Negative: No Group B Streptococcus detected by culture-enhanced PCR (Amplified Probe)


Critical values/courtesy alerts: 
Positive: Group B Streptococcus detected by culture-enhanced PCR (Amplified Probe)
Additional information: 

Susceptibility testing is automatically performed for positive patients who are allergic to penicillin and related antibiotics.


CPT code(s):  87150
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

Culture-enhanced real-time PCR detection of Group B Streptococcus


Methodology: 
Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Synonyms: 

GRBS, Group B culture, culture for beta strep group B, DNA probe, molecular detection of group B Streptococcus, Streptococcus agalactiae, group B strep, group B strep culture, beta strep, group B, group B Streptococcus, RNA probe, probe, group B probe, molecular probe group B strep, PCR, group B PCR, amplified probe, molecular probe group B strep


Clinical significance: 

Pregnant women who are colonized with Group B Streptococcus are at high risk for transmission to their babies during childbirth


Doctoral Director(s): 
Donna Wolk PhD, D(ABMM)
Julie Hirschhorn, PhD, HCLD(ABB)
Review Date:  12/31/2024

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