Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture
(Contact SLCH Laboratory Customer Service at 314-454-4161 for specimen collection supplies.)
CAREMANAGER NAME:				Culture, Neisseria gonorrhoeae; or Culture R/O GC
COMMON NAMES:			GC, Gonorrhea culture
COMMENT:		This test is accepted as evidence in legal cases and should be used when sexual abuse is suspected. This test can be performed on all ages, males and females. However, the amplified probe test may be more sensitive than conventional culture for routine testing.
SUMMARY:
The gonococcus is a human pathogen that has adapted to a variety of ecologic niches other than the urogenital tract. Both anal/rectal and pharyngeal gonococcal infections are found in heterosexual and homosexual populations. Since the number of organisms at a particular site may be low, multiple sites should be cultured.
ACCEPTABLE SPECIMENS:					Cervical/Vaginal, Urethral, Throat, and Rectal
SPECIMEN COLLECTION:
Proper specimen collection is the key to successful recovery of N. gonorrhoeae. The gonococcus is particularly sensitive to drying, temperature extremes and low CO2 atmosphere. Use the BBL CultureSwab Plus Amies with Charcoal to collect the 3 sites. Label each swab with the patient identification (patient’s name, patient unique identifier (i.e. date of birth, medical record number, social security number) and date/time of collection and site). A separate culture is ordered from each site.
						BBL CultureSwab Plus Amies with Charcoal
Collection of Genital Sites:
Cervix
1.	Do not use lubricant during procedure
2.	Look at the cervix and remove or any excess mucous or vaginal material
3.	Gently compress the cervix with the blades of the speculum and collect the endocervical discharge with a BBL™CultureSwab Plus Amies with Charcoal. Alternatively, insert the swab into the cervical os, allow to remain in place for 2 seconds.
4.	Return swab to sterile BBL™ CultureSwab Plus™ Amies with Charcoal transport container.
5.	Label transport container with the patient’s full name (first and last), date, and time of collection.
6.	Maintain sterility and forward promptly at room temperature.

Urethra
1.	Do not collect urethral specimens until at least 1 hour after urination.
2.	Insert a Pur-Wrap® dacron swab with a flexible wire shaft 2-4 cm into the urethra, gently rotate, and remove.
3.	Return swab to sterile BBL™ CultureSwab Plus™ Amies with Charcoal.
4.	Label transport container with the patient’s full name (first and last), patient unique identifier (i.e. date of birth, medical record number, social security number), date, and time of collection.
5.	Maintain sterility and forward promptly at room temperature.
PROCEDURE:
Open Amies with Charcoal swab and collect one of the sites described previously. Place the swab back in the plastic sheath and label with patient’s name and site. Follow the same procedure with the other sites needed for culture. Send specimens immediately to the Laboratory for processing. DO NOT SEND ON ICE; DO NOT REFRIGERATE SPECIMEN.
TURN-AROUND-TIME:
Preliminary: 24 hours Final: 3 days