Genital Culture

Synonyms

• CERVICAL
• CERVIX
• CULTURE - GENITAL
• LAB10270
• PENILE
• PENIS
• URETHRA
• URETHRAL
• VAGINA
• VAGINAL

Cerner Name

Genital Culture

Clinical Info

The genital tract harbors a wide variety of microorganisms. Some microorganisms are
introduced exogenously, by sexual activity, contraceptive use, instrumentation,
and childbirth, and may cause infection. In some cases, endogenous organisms
have become opportunistic pathogens; as a result, microbiology cultures of the
genital tract can be difficult to interpret. Most organisms, however, may
represent normal flora or colonizing bacteria, and therefore cultures should
not be used with the intent to list the organisms present. Normal vaginal flora
can include any of the following organisms: Corynebacterium sp.,
Enterobacterales and other Gram-negative rods, enterococci, lactobacilli,
staphylococci, alpha-hemolytic streptococci, Streptococcus agalactiae, yeast,
and anaerobes.
In females, infections are divided between the
lower genital tract (vulva, vagina, and cervix), where infections are usually
due to sexual contact and the upper genital tract (uterus, tubes, ovaries and
pelvic cavity) where infections are usually due to organisms normally present.
Isolation and cultivation of suspected pathogens from the genital tract involves the use of both
selective and enriched media

Specimen Sources

Penis Urethra Vagina Vulva

Specimen Types

Skin/Wound Swab

Specimen Volume

Container

Eswab preferred, culturette swab

Collection Instructions

1..
Remove excess mucus, secretion, or discharge.
2. Swab genital area with sterile culture
transport swab.
3. Return swab to sterile culture
transport tube to ensure specimen preservation.
4. Label tube with patient’s name (first and
last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
Note 1:  Specimen source is required on
request form for processing.


Note
2: Gram stains are not automatically performed but can be ordered separately only
for male urethral specimens. 

Transport Instructions

Maintain sterility and
forward promptly at ambient temperature.

Specimen Stability

Up to 48 hours at room temperature.

Methodology

Bacterial
culture

Days Performed

Monday through Sunday

Performing Laboratory

Northwell Health Laboratories

CPT

87070 -If culture is positive, additional
charge(s)/CPT code(s) may apply for identification
and/or antibiotic susceptibilities performed
when appropriate.

PDM

6201110

Only Orderable at Locations:

Orderable Everywhere

Results

Result Interpretation

Forms