Laboratory Test Guide

Bacterial Culture to R/O GC (Gonorrhoeae ) with Gram Stain

General Information

Lab Name

R/O GC C/S w/Gram

Lab Code

GCCGR

Epic Name

GC (Gonorrhea) C/S w/Gram

Description

Note: Gram stain for GC is diagnostic for male urethral specimens only. Gram stain is not recommeded for vaginal, throat or rectal specimens due to possible colonization with organisms that may have similar gram stain morphology as N. gonorrhoeae. See instead R/O Gonorrhoeae without Gram [GCC].

This culture is for rule out N. gonorrhoeae (GC) only, with gram stain. Detection of GC and Chlamydia by nucleic acid amplification is more sensitive than culture; see GC (N. gonorrhoeae) and CT (Chlamydia trachomatis) Amplified Nucleic Acid Detection [GCCTAD] or Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) Amplified Nucleic Acid Detection [GCCAD].

For GC culture without gram stain, see R/O Gonorrhoeae without Gram [GCC].

For full aerobic genital culture see Genital Bacterial Culture and Sensitivity (Routine) without Gram Stain [GUC].

For full aerobic and anaerobic genital culture see Genital Bacterial Culture and Sensitivity (Anaerobic) with Gram Stain [GUWANC].

For joint fluid culture to R/O GC, see Place Holder for Body Fluid Bacterial Culture and Sensitivity with Gram Stain (includes anaerobes) [FLDPHC].

Synonyms

GC, Gonorrhea Culture, Neisseria gonorrhoeae Culture

Components

Code	Name
OLD	OLD & NOT APPLICABLE

Interpretation

Reference Range

See individual components

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type

urethra

Collection

Collect specimen with swab.

Preferred transport media: ESwab

Acceptable: Amies gel swab

Unacceptable: Universal Transport Medium (UTM); expired swabs/transport media; dry swabs; refrigerated swabs.

Note: Pre-inoculated selective media (obtained from the Micro Lab) for R/O GC may also be submitted in addition to the Amies swab.

Handling Instructions

Transport swabs at room temperature, ideally within 4 hours of collection.

Exceeding transport time or refrigerating specimen may result in loss of viability for N. gonorrhoeae .

Specimens will be rejected if received > 24 hours after collection. Viability of organisms is significantly reduced after 24 hours.

Quantity

requested: ESwab or pre-inoculated selective media
minimum: ESwab

Processing

Gram stains are usually not performed on vaginal, throat and rectal specimens due to presence of normal flora which may have the same appearance as GC. R/O Gonorrhoeae without Gram (GCC) should be offered instead.

Performance

LIS Dept Code

Microbiology (MC)

Performing Location(s)

HMC	Microbiology 206-744-5858 325 9th Ave, Rm # GWH-47, Seattle, WA 98104-2420
UW-MT	Microbiology 206-520-4600 Clinical Lab, Room # NW177, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific street, Seattle, WA 98195