Upper Respiratory Culture, Routine

Test ID: 

705901

CPT code:

87070

Synonyms:

Culture, Upper Respiratory, Routine
Ear Culture
Nasopharynx Culture
Nose Culture
Sinus Culture
Throat Culture

Clinical Use:

Isolate and identify potentially pathogenic organisms from throat, sinus etc; evaluate pharyngitis; evaluate nares for staph

Test Information:

Thrush, oral candidiasis, and Candida esophagitis frequently complicate antineoplastic therapy, hyperalimentation, transplantation immunosuppression, pregnancy, and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In addition to a fungal culture, a saline wet preparation, Gram stain, or KOH preparation demonstrating yeast cells or pseudohyphae may also be useful in rapidly establishing the diagnosis of oral or mucocutaneous candidiasis.

Specimen Type:

Throat swab, nasopharynx swab, nares swab, ear swab

Requested Volume: 

One swab or aspirated material

Container Type: 

Bacterial culture transport swab

Collection:

Throat: Depress tongue and rub swab vigorously over each tonsillar area and posterior pharynx. Any exudate should be touched, and care should be taken to avoid the tongue and uvula. Place swab in transport.

Nasopharynx: With patient’s head immobilized, insert flexible wire swab into nostril until it reaches posterior nares. Leave swab in place for 15 to 30 seconds. Rotate and remove. Place swab in transport.

Storage Instructions:

Maintain specimen at room temperature.

Expected Turnaround Time:

1 to 2 Days

Rejection Criteria

Unlabeled specimen or name discrepancy between specimen and request label; inappropriate specimen transport device; leaking specimen; specimen received after prolonged delay (usually more than 48 hours); expired transport