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Test Code LAB4883 Streptococcus Group A PCR

Performing Laboratory

St. Louis Children's Hospital - Virology

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Throat Swab

Patient Preparation: None

Container/Tube

Preferred/Accetable: ESwab

Collection Instructions:

1. Seat the patient comfortably with head tilted back under a good light source.

2. Depress the tongue with a tongue depressor and visualize the uvular area.

3. Reach behind the uvula and swab:

  •  Both tonsillar fauces
  • The posterior pharynx
  • Any ulceration, exudate, lesion or area of inflammation.

NOTE: It is important to avoid touching the tongue, lips or inside of the cheek with the

culture swab.

4. Remove the swab and immediately reinsert into culturette casing or transport vial containing transport media (ESwab). 

5. Label ESwab vial with PPID label or patient's full name (first and last), date of birth, date, and time of collection.

Special Instructions: Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature.

Sample Rejection

Mislabeled or unlabeled specimen

Specimens collected from source other than throat

Specimens collected with incorrect swab or transport media

Logistics

Test Availability: Monday-Sunday
Cut-off time: None; performed as received

Turnaround time: Same day; <1 hour from receipt in performing laboratory

Reference Values

Reference Range: Not Detected (Negative)
Critical Values: None established

Methodology

qualitative Real-Time PCR assay

Limitations

  • This assay does not detect other beta-hemolytic streptococci, including Group C or Group G.

Additional Information

FOR SLCH CORE LABORATORY USE ONLY

Lab Processing Instructions: DO NOT PROCESS. Give specimen directly to Micro/Virology bench.

Analyte Stability: 

Specimen Type    Temperature   Time
  Ambient 48 hours
  Refrigerated      6 days    
  Frozen (<15o) unacceptable   

Transport Temperature: Ambient

Test Classification and CPT Code

87651

Test Classification: This assay has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration and it's performance characteristics have been verified by St. Louis Children's Hospital

LOINC

NA

Last Reviewed

08/2025