Ordering Recommendation

Gold standard for confirming group A streptococcal infection. Order when rapid testing is negative and suspicion of streptococcus is moderately high.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Throat swab.

Specimen Preparation

Place swab in Eswab transport media (ARUP Supply #45877) available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect™ or contact ARUP Client Services at (800) 522-2787.

Storage/Transport Temperature

Room temperature or refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions
Remarks

Specimen source required.

Stability

Ambient: 72 hours; Refrigerated: 72 hours; Frozen: Unacceptable

Methodology

Culture/Identification

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

1-3 days
Negative culture reported at 3 days.  Positive culture reported as soon as detected.

Reference Interval

Culture negative for group A β-hemolytic Streptococcus.

Interpretive Data



Compliance Category

Standard

Note

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

87081; Identification CPT codes may vary based on method

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0060126 Culture, Streptococcus (Group A) 547-0
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • Beta Streptococcus
  • Beta-Hemolytic Strep
  • Culture
  • Strep
  • Strep Group A
  • Strep Group B
  • Throat
Streptococcus (Group A) Culture