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Throat culture (Edmonton/Central/North)
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Test Name:
Throat culture (Edmonton/Central/North)
Ordering Information:
Acute pharyngitis
Cystic fibrosis, refer to:  Respiratory culture, lower respiratory tract

Organism(s)/Disease(s):
Acute pharyngitis screen (culture)
Acute pharyngitis screen (NAAT)
Arcanobacterium haemolyticum.
Beta - hemolytic streptococci (A, C, G)
Corynebacterium diptheriae
Body Source(s):
Throat
Clinical Prerequisite(s):
Provision of relevant clinical information is important to ensure a clinically relevant result
Always provide/report:
•  specimen source
•  current antibiotic therapy and start date
•  clinical history - symptoms and start date
•  travel history


Collection Device/Tube Type:
eSwab collection device
Swab in clear transport media
Handling and Storage:
Room temperature
Rejection Criteria:
  • Mislabelled or unlabelled specimen/requisition
  • No swab in collection device

    • Turnaround Times
    See Microbiology Information»
    Comments:
    Susceptibility testing is performed on Group A Streptococcus only when a patient history of penicillin allergy is provided

    Last Reviewed:
    06 May 2023
    Test Name:
    Throat culture, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NAAT)
    Organism(s)/Disease(s):
    Neisseria gonorrhoeae
    Body Source(s):
    Throat
    Clinical Prerequisite(s):
    Provision of relevant clinical information is important to ensure a clinically relevant result

  • State specimen source - indicate Neisseria gonorrhoeae
  • State current antibiotic therapy and start date
  • Provide clinical history.  State symptoms and start date
  • Provide travel history

    • Collection Device/Tube Type:
    APTIMA Unisex Swab Specimen Collection Kit
    Comments:
    Note:
     - This method has not been validated for sources other than those listed here
     - Interpret the results with caution if a swab from another site is submitted
    Comments:
    All positive results reported to STI Services, the ordering Physician and hospital ward if applicable
    Last Reviewed:
    23 April 2021
    Test Name:
    Throat culture, Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture
    Organism(s)/Disease(s):
    Neisseria gonorrhoeae
    Body Source(s):
    Throat
    Clinical Prerequisite(s):
    Provision of relevant clinical information is important to ensure a clinically relevant result
    Always provide/record:
    •  specimen source
    •  specify: for Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture
    •  current antibiotic therapy and start date
    •  clinical history.  State symptoms and start date
    •  travel history

    Note:
     - Preferred methodology to detect N. gonorrhoeae is GenProbe APTIMA (NAAT)

    Collection Device/Tube Type:
    eSwab collection device
    Swab in charcoal transport media
    Collection Instructions:
    1.  Use a tongue depressor to gently depress the patient's tongue
    2.  Extend the sterile swab between the tonsillar pillars and behind the uvula
         - Avoid touching cheeks, tongue, uvula or lips
    3.  Sweep back and forth across the posterior pharynx, tonsillar areas, and
         any inflamed or ulcerated areas, to obtain a sample
    4.  Carefully place the swab into the collection device without contaminating it

    Handling and Storage:
    Room temperature
    Rejection Criteria:
  • Mislabelled or unlabelled specimen/requisition
  • No swab in collection device

    • Comments:
    All positive results reported to STI Services, the ordering Physician and hospital ward if applicable
    Last Reviewed:
    23 April 2021
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