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Test Code GBSNAT Group B Strep Screen, Nucleic Acid Test

Useful For

Screening of Group B streptococci carriage in pregnant females.

Synonyms/Keywords

GBS Screen, GBSNAT-RFX

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
 
Vaginal introitus and/or anorectum ESwab™ Other Amies medium based swab 1 swab 1 swab N/A

Collection/Processing Instructions

A swab specimen should be collected first from the lower vagina and then from the rectum without use of a speculum.

  • Submit one ESwab™ collection device
  • Other Amies medium swab types are acceptable: collect one swab 


See eSwab collection video for more information

 

'ESwab' is a trademark of Copan Diagnostics.

 

For more information on Specimen Collection Media/Swab, see Specimen Transport Pictorial.

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time

Swabs

 
Room Temperature < 4 hours
Refrigerated 48 hours

Rejection Criteria

Cervical, perianal, perirectal and perineal swabs
Dry swabs
Leaking specimens
Specimens older than 48 hours

 

Test Information

This is a qualitative PCR assay that incorporates the use of LIM selective enrichment broth to detect Group B streptococci.  Results will be reported as Positive, Negative or Indeterminate.

 

The American Society for Microbiology has published guidelines for optimal practices for screening for Group B streptococcal (GBS) carriers.  These guidelines recommend universal prenatal screening for vaginal and rectal GBS colonization of all pregnant women at 36-37 weeks unless intrapartum GBS prophylaxis is already recommended due to identified risk factors.

 

For penicillin allergic patients, screening can be ordered with automatic reflex to susceptibility testing (Test Code: GBSNAT-RFX).

 

Susceptibility results will be available 48-72 hours after positive GBSNAT result.  If no Group B Streptococci is isolated on reflex culture the report will indicate "A positive test result obtained by PCR testing (GBSNAT) does not indicate the presence of viable organism; this testing is more sensitive than culture".

 

 
 (ASM Guidelines for the Detection and Identification of Group B Streptococcus July 29, 2021) 

Reference Range Information

Performing Location Reference Range
All Perfoming Sites Strep Group B negative

Marshfield Labs Performing Department

Marshfield Labs Microbiology

Performing Information

Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
 
Marshfield Monday through Sunday 3 days LIM broth enrichment, Group B Streptococcus Detectionby Real Time PCR 

CPT Codes

CPT Modifier
(if needed)
Quantity Description Comments
 
87653     Streptococcus, group B, amplified probe technique
 
87077
or
87147
    Organism identification from Culture as needed
 
87186
or
87184
    Susceptibility testing as needed

Outreach CPT Codes

CPT Modifier
(if needed)
Quantity Description Comments

 
87653     Streptococcus, group B, amplified probe technique
 
87077
or
87147
    Organism identification from Culture as needed
87186
or
87184
    Susceptibility testing as needed

Ordering Applications

Ordering Application Description
Cerner Group B Strep Screen by Nucleic Acid Test