Laboratory Test Guide

Chlamydia Species Culture (Sendout)

General Information

Lab Name

Lab Code

603

External Test Id

690

Description

Clinical Significance: Chlamydiae Species Culture - C. trachomatis is associated with infections of the mucous membranes of the urogenital system, the upper respiratory tract and the eye. It may be sexually transmitted; resulting diseases include urethritis, cervicitis, salpingitis, epididymitis, proctitis and lymphogranuloma venereum. C. pneumoniae is associated with both upper and lower respiratory infections. Infections of the upper respiratory tract and eye usually occur in newborns exposed at parturition. In adults, eye infection may be transmitted by hand after contact with secretions.

Synonyms

690, Chlamydia pneumoniae Culture, Chlamydia trachomatis Culture

Interpretation

Method

Centrifugation-Enhance Culture with Monoclonal Antibody Detection

Ref. Range Notes

Reference Range: Not isolated

Guidelines

Washington DOH Notifiable Conditions

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type

Endocervical, endourethral, rectal

Collection

Endocervical, endourethral, or rectal mucosa (without feces) swab specimen submitted in Viral Culture Media (VCM) or equivalent transport medium (UTM or M4). Forward to the lab immediately.

Alternative Specimens: Vaginal swab on children <13 years

Samples should be forwarded to the lab immediately after collection for the application of temperature controls.

Note: Due to potential propagation of SARS-CoV-2 virus in Chlamydia culture cells, respiratory and eye specimens are no longer accepted by Quest as of 07/13/20.

Handling Instructions

Outside Laboratories: Freeze specimen at -70° C as soon as possible after collection. Storage or transport at -20° C is not acceptable.

Stability: Frozen -70°C (preferred): 30 days; Refrigerated: 48 hours; Ambient: Unacceptable; Frozen (-20°C): Unacceptable.

Rejection Criteria: Specimens submitted in viral transport media that do not support Chlamydia; wooden shaft and calcium alginate swabs; bacterial transport systems; molecular transport systems; respiratory specimens; eye (conjunctival) specimens; samples stored or transported at -20°C.

Quantity

requested: Entire Swab
minimum: Entire Swab

Processing

Freeze immediately at -70°C. Samples frozen at -20° C are not acceptable.

Login: SEND1-;SUPER FREEZE

RSNDT1: QSTID
RSTYP1: [enter specimen source]
RTSRQ1: ;Chlamydia Species Culture (Quest Test 690)

Sendouts:

Select QuestQuanum Account: FDX.
Order Quest Test: 690.
Samples are critical frozen (at -70°C). Ship directly to Quest Diagnostics Infectious Disease on dry ice via FedEx Priority Overnight.