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Lab Dept:
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Microbiology/Virology
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Test Name:
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STREP SCREEN, RAPID
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General Information
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Lab Order Codes:
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SSCR
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Synonyms:
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Rapid Strep Screen; Screen for group A Streptococcus, Rapid; Beta Strep group A Screen; Group A Strep, Rapid Antigen Test, Throat; Throat for Rapid Strep Screen
Related information: Refer to Throat Culture, Group A streptococci Only.
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CPT Codes:
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87430 – Infectious agent antigen detection by enzyme immunoassay technique. Qualitative or semiquantitative multiple step method; Streptococcus, group A
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Test Includes:
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Detection of group A streptococcal antigen; if negative, culture will be performed with an additional charge.
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Logistics
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Lab Testing Sections:
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Microbiology
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Phone Numbers:
Minneapolis:
Saint Paul:
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612-813-5866
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651-220-6555
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Test Availability:
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Daily, 24 hours
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Turnaround Time:
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1 hour
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Special Instructions:
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Specimen site and date/time of collection are required for processing.
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Specimen
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Specimen Type:
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Throat swab
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Container:
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Dual swab transport system
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Volume:
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2 throat swabs
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Collection:
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1. Depress tongue with tongue depressor.
2. Sample the posterior pharynx, tonsils, and inflamed areas with a sterile swab.
3. Place swab in transport medium.
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Transport/Storage:
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Transport to the Microbiology Laboratory immediately at room temperature.
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Sample Rejection:
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Specimen with a transit time exceeding 4 hours after collection; specimen not submitted in appropriate transport container; improperly labeled specimen. If an unacceptable specimen is received, the physician or nursing station will be notified and another specimen will be requested before the specimen is discarded.
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Interpretive
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Reference Range:
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No group A streptococcal antigen detected
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Limitations:
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Negative results may be obtained due to low antigen concentration below the sensitivity of this test.
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Methodology:
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Membrane-bound enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA)
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Contraindications:
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Throat cultures are not advised for patients with inflamed epiglottis. Swabbing the epiglottis may precipitate acute respiratory obstruction.
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References:
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Cook, JH, and M Pezzlo (1992). Specimen receipt and accessioning. Section 1. Aerobic bacteriology, 1.2.1-4. In HD Isenberg (ed) Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook. American Society for Microbiology, Washington DC
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Miller, J Michael (1999) A Guide To Specimen Management in Clinical Microbiology, American Society for Microbiology, Washington DC
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Miller, J Michael, and HT Holmes (1999) Specimen Collection, Transport, and Storage In PR Murray et al, (ed), Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 7th edition, American Society for Microbiology, Washington DC, pp 33-104
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Updates:
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11/20/2011: CPT 87081 removed, no longer associated with this procedure.
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