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Genital culture, bacterial (Calgary/South)
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Test Name:
Genital culture, bacterial (Calgary/South)
Organism(s)/Disease(s):
Postpartum sepsis/fever
Puerperal fever
Surgical infection, post-pelvic/gynecological
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)
Body Source(s):
Cervix
Introitus (pediatric)
Urethra
Vagina
Clinical Prerequisite(s):
Other sources, including vulva, labia, penis, rectal/perirectal and anal/perianal should be ordered as Superficial wound culture or Deep wound culture

For patients =/> 13 years of age, culture is ONLY performed when relevant, clinical diagnosis and/or relevant suspected infectious agent/disease is indicated. Acceptable history includes:
  •  Toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
  •  Postpartum sepsis/fever
  •  Puerperal sepsis/fever
  •  Surgical infection post-pelvic/gynecological surgery (including hysterectomy,
      dilation & curettage (D&C), episiotomy, loop electrosurgical excision procedure
      (LEEP) and/or vaginal repair)  
  •  Rule out Group A Streptococcus
  •  Rule out Staphylococcus aureus

If this information if not provided, the sample is processed for Bacterial vaginosis/yeast screen (Calgary/South) only

NOTE: If NAAT testing for Chlamydia trachomatis/Neisseria gonorrhoeae is required, see:  Chlamydia and gonorrhea screen (Calgary/South). If N. gonorrhoeae culture is required because of treatment failure, see Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture (Calgary/South)

If yeast culture and susceptibility is required because of treatment failure, refer to:  Vaginal culture, yeast


Collection Device/Tube Type:
Amies charcoal transport media
E-swab collection device
Swab in clear transport media
Collection Instructions:
Cervix / Endocervix:
  1. Moisten speculum with warm water. Do not use any other lubricant
  2. Remove cervical mucus, preferably with cotton ball held in ring forceps
  3. Insert collection swab into cervical canal, move from side to side
  4. Allow several seconds for absorption of organisms into the swab.
  5. Carefully place swab in the collection device to without contaminating it

Vagina:

  1. Use a speculum without lubricant
  2. Collect secretions from the mucosa high in the vaginal canal (adults) or as per pediatric

Urethra:
      • Collect specimen 1-2 hours after patient has urinated

Female only:

  1. Stimulate discharge by gently massaging the urethra against the public symphysis through the vagina.
  2. Collect the discharge.
  3. If discharge cannot be obtained, wash external urethra with Betadine soap and rinse with water. Carefully insert thin-tipped swab 2-4 cm into endo-urethra. Gently rotate and leave in place for 1-2 seconds. Withdraw swab.

Male:

  1. Carefully insert thin-tipped swab 2-4 cm into endo-urethra, gently rotate, leave in place for 1-2 seconds.
  2. Withdraw swab
  3. Carefully place swab back into collection device without contaminating it

Handling and Storage:
Room temperature
Handling/Storage Comments:
Note:  Yield of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is improved with refrigeration of the specimen.  Suggest refrigeration of the sample if this is the suspected organism.  Refer to Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture (Calgary/South)

Transport to the testing laboratory as soon as possible after collection
Rejection Criteria:
  • Mislabelled or unlabelled specimen or requisition
  • No swab in the collection device
  • Desiccated swab/transport media

    • Turnaround Times
    See Microbiology Information»

    Last Reviewed:
    06 May 2023
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