II. Indications
- Prenatal GBS Screening
III. Technique: Obtaining culture
- Use Bacterial culture swab (often red topped swab as used for Throat Culture)
- Swab the vaginal introitus
- Swab the inside of the anal sphincter with same swab or a different swab
- Notify lab that culture is for Group B Streptoccus
- Clearly label culture swab as vaginal and rectal source for GBS Culture
- Order swab for GBS Culture
- Note in order if high risk for Anaphylaxis with Penicillin or Cephalosporin allergy (Anaphylaxis, Angioedema, Urticaria history)
- Lab will perform Clindamycin and Erythromycin susceptibility testing
- Transport swab in non-nutritive media
- Remains viable for several days at room Temperature
- Sample degrades with high Temperatures
- Refrigerate sample if risk of heat exposure or delay in plating