Laboratory Test Guide

Genital Bacterial Culture and Sensitivity (Routine) without Gram Stain

General Information

Lab Name

Genital C/S

Lab Code

GUC

Epic Name

Culture Bact, Genital

Description

This culture is for aerobic culture only. If aerobic and anaerobic culture is needed, order Genital Bacterial Culture and Sensitivity (Anaerobic) with Gram Stain [GUWANC] If rule out BV is also needed, order Vaginal Gram Stain [VGRAM] separately.

If rule out yeast only is required, see R/O Yeast Culture with Direct Exam [YSTF]

If rule out Group B Strep only is required, see R/O Group B Beta Strep, Genital Culture [BSCGU]

If rule out N. gonorrhea only is required, see R/O Gonorrhoeae without Gram [GCC]

If rule out Mycoplasma is required, see Mycoplasma DNA detection by PCR [MPLDNA]

For amplified nucleic acid detection testing, see GC (N. gonorrhoeae) and CT (Chlamydia trachomatis) Amplified Nucleic Acid Detection [GCCTAD], Trichomonas vaginalis Amplified Nucleic Acid Detection [TRICAD], Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) Amplified Nucleic Acid Detection [GCCAD], or Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) Amplified Nucleic Acid Detection [CHLAD]

For H. ducreyi (chancroid), see Interpretation/Limitations section below.

Synonyms

Chancroid, GC, Genital, Genitourinary, GU, Haemophilus ducreyi

Components

Code	Name
SDES	Specimen Description
SREQ	Special Requests
CULT	Culture
RPT	Report Status

Interpretation

Reference Range

See individual components

Interferences and Limitations

The presence of Haemophilus ducreyi is very difficult to ascertain by culture, which is not performed by UW Microbiology. Nucleic acid amplification testing is available at the CDC with their approval. Their published turnaround time is about 2 weeks. Please refer to the CDC's diagnostic considerations for chancroid.

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type

Cervix, Endocervix, Vaginal, Vulva, Urethral

Collection

Collect specimen with swab.

Preferred transport media: ESwab

Acceptable: Amies gel swab

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

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
minimum: ESwab

Processing

Login staff: If Placenta, Endometrium, Amnion or Chorion specimens are received, order GUWANC.

Order GRAM or VGRAM (vaginal specimens with request for R/O BV) separately if requested.

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