Tests Included

  1. Group A Streptococcus Rapid Antigen
  2. Group A Streptococcus Culture
  • Culture will automatically be performed on specimens with Negative Rapid Antigen results for confirmation. Additional charges may apply.

Performed

Daily

Methodology

Color Immunochromatographic Assay
Direct Observation / Culture (Negatives Only)

Reported

Stat: 1 hour
  • Results will be available within 1 hour of receipt of specimen by the laboratory

Synonyms

  • OSOM Ultra Strep A Test
  • Rapid Strep Test
  • Rapid Strep A Test
  • Streptococcus pyogenes
  • Strep pyogenes
  • S. pyogenes
  • Group A Strep
  • Strep Throat
  • Microbiology Serology

Performing Lab

Microbiology
Rapid Response Laboratories - Hillcrest and La Jolla

Add-on Eligibility

NO

Specimen Type

Throat Swab

Specimen Volume

Dry Swab: 1 swab
Copan eSwab: 1 eSwab

Collection Container

  1. Dry Rayon Swab
 
AND
 
  1. Copan eSwab
  • This is required for culture confirmation of negative results

Unacceptable Conditions

  1. Throat swabs only, no other sources
  2. Specimens that have been improperly collected, stored, or transported
  • Specimens collected using swabs with cotton tips, wooden shafts, or calcium alginate swabs
  • eSwabs received without accompanying dry swab
  • Specimens collected using collection systems containing charcoal or semi-solid transport media
    • Stuart's Media
    • Amies Media
  • Specimens that have been frozen
  • Specimens not received within 12 hours of collection
  1. Unlabeled or mislabeled specimens

Storage/Transport Temperature

Transport Instructions    
Collection Location Transport Temperature Timeframe
ED/Inpatient Room Temperature Specimen must be received by the lab within 12 hours of collection
Refrigerated (Ice Packs) Specimen must be received by the lab within 12 hours of collection
Laboratory/Outpatient/Off-Site Room Temperature Specimen must be received by the lab within 12 hours of collection
Refrigerated (Ice Packs) Specimen must be received by the lab within 12 hours of collection


Storage: Room Temperature

Stability (from collection to initiation)

Stability:
Dry Swab
  • Room Temperature: 48 hours
  • Refrigerated: 48 hours
  • Frozen: Unacceptable
Copan eSwab
  • Room Temperature: 3 days
  • Refrigerated: 1 week
  • Frozen: Unacceptable

Laboratory Storage: Refrigerated
  • Only eSwabs will be stored.  Dry swabs are exhausted after testing.
Laboratory Retention: 7 days

Collection Instructions

Labeling Instructions
  1. When labeling specimens, ensure that the barcode is in the correct orientation and not covering important information
  • For Dry Swabs, label can be placed on the outside of the sheath
    • Avoid covering the swab information when placing the label
  1. For eSwabs, leave a small window visible for the lab to assess the volume and sample integrity
 

Collection Instructions
  1. Collect specimen with a sterile swab from the tonsils and/or the back of the throat taking care to avoid the teeth, gums, tongue or cheek surfaces
  • Do not use swabs with cotton tips, wooden shafts, or calcium alginate swabs
  • Do not use a collection system that contains charcoal or semisolid transport media
  1. Place Dry Swab back into sterile sheath
  2. Repeat Step #1 for eSwab and place into Copan collection tube
  3. Ensure that the cap on the eSwab is tightly secured to prevent leakage

Reference Interval

Negative

Interpretive Data

Positive: Positive results do not require culture for Group A Streptococcus. Penicillin V or amoxicillin continue to be the recommended treatment options for streptococcal pharyngitis. Alternative treatment regimens should be used for patients allergic to penicillin. 

Negative: Presence of Group A Streptococcus cannot be ruled out. Culture for Group A Streptococcus will be added by reflex.

This test uses an FDA-approved rapid immunochromatographic lateral flow assay for the qualitative detection of carbohydrate antigens specific to Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes). The results of this test should not be used as the sole basis for making clinical treatment decisions, and should be used in conjunction with other clinical findings.
Ordering

Tests Included

  1. Group A Streptococcus Rapid Antigen
  2. Group A Streptococcus Culture
  • Culture will automatically be performed on specimens with Negative Rapid Antigen results for confirmation. Additional charges may apply.

Performed

Daily

Methodology

Color Immunochromatographic Assay
Direct Observation / Culture (Negatives Only)

Reported

Stat: 1 hour
  • Results will be available within 1 hour of receipt of specimen by the laboratory

Synonyms

  • OSOM Ultra Strep A Test
  • Rapid Strep Test
  • Rapid Strep A Test
  • Streptococcus pyogenes
  • Strep pyogenes
  • S. pyogenes
  • Group A Strep
  • Strep Throat
  • Microbiology Serology

Performing Lab

Microbiology
Rapid Response Laboratories - Hillcrest and La Jolla

Add-on Eligibility

NO
Collection

Specimen Type

Throat Swab

Specimen Volume

Dry Swab: 1 swab
Copan eSwab: 1 eSwab

Collection Container

  1. Dry Rayon Swab
 
AND
 
  1. Copan eSwab
  • This is required for culture confirmation of negative results

Unacceptable Conditions

  1. Throat swabs only, no other sources
  2. Specimens that have been improperly collected, stored, or transported
  • Specimens collected using swabs with cotton tips, wooden shafts, or calcium alginate swabs
  • eSwabs received without accompanying dry swab
  • Specimens collected using collection systems containing charcoal or semi-solid transport media
    • Stuart's Media
    • Amies Media
  • Specimens that have been frozen
  • Specimens not received within 12 hours of collection
  1. Unlabeled or mislabeled specimens

Storage/Transport Temperature

Transport Instructions    
Collection Location Transport Temperature Timeframe
ED/Inpatient Room Temperature Specimen must be received by the lab within 12 hours of collection
Refrigerated (Ice Packs) Specimen must be received by the lab within 12 hours of collection
Laboratory/Outpatient/Off-Site Room Temperature Specimen must be received by the lab within 12 hours of collection
Refrigerated (Ice Packs) Specimen must be received by the lab within 12 hours of collection


Storage: Room Temperature

Stability (from collection to initiation)

Stability:
Dry Swab
  • Room Temperature: 48 hours
  • Refrigerated: 48 hours
  • Frozen: Unacceptable
Copan eSwab
  • Room Temperature: 3 days
  • Refrigerated: 1 week
  • Frozen: Unacceptable

Laboratory Storage: Refrigerated
  • Only eSwabs will be stored.  Dry swabs are exhausted after testing.
Laboratory Retention: 7 days

Collection Instructions

Labeling Instructions
  1. When labeling specimens, ensure that the barcode is in the correct orientation and not covering important information
  • For Dry Swabs, label can be placed on the outside of the sheath
    • Avoid covering the swab information when placing the label
  1. For eSwabs, leave a small window visible for the lab to assess the volume and sample integrity
 

Collection Instructions
  1. Collect specimen with a sterile swab from the tonsils and/or the back of the throat taking care to avoid the teeth, gums, tongue or cheek surfaces
  • Do not use swabs with cotton tips, wooden shafts, or calcium alginate swabs
  • Do not use a collection system that contains charcoal or semisolid transport media
  1. Place Dry Swab back into sterile sheath
  2. Repeat Step #1 for eSwab and place into Copan collection tube
  3. Ensure that the cap on the eSwab is tightly secured to prevent leakage
Result Interpretation

Reference Interval

Negative

Interpretive Data

Positive: Positive results do not require culture for Group A Streptococcus. Penicillin V or amoxicillin continue to be the recommended treatment options for streptococcal pharyngitis. Alternative treatment regimens should be used for patients allergic to penicillin. 

Negative: Presence of Group A Streptococcus cannot be ruled out. Culture for Group A Streptococcus will be added by reflex.

This test uses an FDA-approved rapid immunochromatographic lateral flow assay for the qualitative detection of carbohydrate antigens specific to Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes). The results of this test should not be used as the sole basis for making clinical treatment decisions, and should be used in conjunction with other clinical findings.

×
Learn More Remind Me Later Dismiss