Click here for more information about laboratory operations and procedures
Streptococcus Group A Antigen
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Approval req'd? | No |
| Available Stat? | Yes |
| Test code | P116 |
| Test group | Streptococcus |
| Performed by | Microbiology |
| In House Availability | Day shift until 1600 hours each day (to 2100 hours only for ED samples) |
| Method | Latex agglutination |
| Collection Instructions | Swab tonsils or tonsilar crypts and posterior pharynx. Deliver immediately to laboratory. refrigerate if transport is delayed. |
| Container type | Polyester (Dacron) swabs x2 in paper envelope (Do not use charcoal transport media) |
| Sample type | Throat swab |
| UCSF Rejection Criteria | Swab submitted in charcoal media |
| Processing notes | If antigen test is negative set up a group A strep culture |
| Normal range | Negative |
| Synonyms | Beta-hemolytic Strep; beta-strep |
| Stability | Stable 72 hours at 4C. |
| Turn around times | 1 hour after receipt at China Basin Microbiology |
| Additional information | Sensitivity is approximately 70% compared with culture. Nonspecific reactions can occur if the specimen is contaminated with saliva,food, beverages, oral sprays, throat lozenges, or the patient has received prior antimicrobial therapy. Culture will be performed automatically on antigen negative samples. Specimens from ED that are received in Moffitt/Long Microbiology before 9 pm will be sent to China Basin Microbiology for same day testing. Specimens received after 9 pm will be tested the following day. From other locations, test is run 0730-1600 only, and specimens received after 1600 hours will be processed by culture rather than by the less sensitive antigen test |
| LOINC code | 18481-2 |
| Last Updated | 10/2/2010 11:52:36 AM |
| Entry Number | 874 |
If you have additional questions regarding this test, please call: 415-353-1667