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HelpTest Code GCC Neisseria gonorrhoeae Culture Screen
Infectious
Specimen and Container/Tube
Specimen Type: Cervix, vaginal, mouth/throat, rectum, conjunctiva, joint fluid, or urethra
Preferred Specimen: Transport swab
Other Acceptable specimens: Sterile, sealable, screw-cap container
Specimen Stability
|
Storage Temperature |
Stability |
|
Room temperature (20 - 25°C) |
24 hours |
|
Refrigerated (2 - 10°C) |
not acceptable |
|
Frozen (-20°C) |
not acceptable |
Collection Instructions
Specimen Collection:
Cervix: Wipe cervix clean of vaginal secretions and mucus. Using a speculum with no lubricant, compress the cervix. Obtain exudate from endocervical glands.
Vaginal: Use speculum with no lubricant. Aspirate or swab material from high on the vaginal wall.
Mouth/throat: Swab areas of exudation or inflammation.
Rectal: Insert swab approximately 1 inch past anal sphincter. Gently rotate the swab to sample the anal crypts. Feces should be visible on the swab for detection of bacterial pathogens.
Conjunctiva: Cleanse area around eye with mild detergent. Moisten swab with saline and roll over conjunctiva.
Joint fluid: Decontamination of overlying skin and aspiration of fluid.
Urethra: Wipe urethra clean with sterile gauze. Obtain exudate or discharge with swab. Alternatively, a swab may be inserted 2 cm inside the urethra for specimen collection.
Specimen Transport: Immediate
Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions
UCMC Onsite Instructions: Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately.
UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately.
Rejection Criteria
- Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, incorrect collection container, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits.
Reference Values
|
Test |
Age |
Sex |
Reference Range |
| Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture screen |
All |
All |
No Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated |
| Stain | All | All | No organisms seen |
Turnaround Time
Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory.
STAT Turnaround Time: Stat smear upon request
Routine Turnaround Time: 72 hours
Testing Schedule: Monday - Sunday
Clinical Indications
- Aid in the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae carriage.
Methodology
Conventional culture on media
CPT Codes
87081
LOINC Codes
30687081
Synonyms/Keyword Search
CX, GC SCREEN, GC CULTURE, BACTERIAL CULTURE
Last Review Date
04/13/2026