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Test Code LAB1377 Group B Strep Screen PCR w/ Reflex Culture 

Important Note

Positive PCR screens on patients with penicillin allergy will be reflexed to culture with susceptibility testing performed. 

Test Performed By

Cayuga Medical Center, Main Laboratory

Container Name

Red Double Swab

Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed

Monday through Sunday; Continuously

Temperature

Room temperature up to 24 hours or refrigerated up to 48 hours

Specimen Collection Instructions

Vaginal/Rectal swab, culturette double-swab preferred.

Please note whether the patient is allergic to penicillin.

Specimen Stability

Stability: 2 days

Clinical and Interpretive

Group B Strep (GBS) bacterial infection is associated with rare but serious illness in infants born to women who are colonized with Streptococcus agalactiae. Illness can occur in the first 7 days after birth (early-onset disease) or between a week and a few months after birth (late-onset illness). Infants with GBS infection can present with sepsis, pneumonia, or meningitis. 

 

The standard of care for preventing neonatal (early-onset) GBS disease, indicates screening of pregnant women at 36-37 weeks gestation to determine their GBS colonization status.