Isolation and Confirmation of Corynebacterium diphtheriae from a Clinical Specimen
Corynebcterium diphtheriae
- Laboratory Location – Central Laboratory
- CPT Code –87077
- Synonyms – Corynebacterium diphtheriae culture
- Test Description -Presence or absence of Corynebacterium diphtheriae in a clinical sample
- NOTE: Submission of a clinical specimen requires prior authorization from the Louisiana OPH Infectious Disease Epidemiology Program for submission to the Central Lab
Possible Results
- Corynebacterium diphtheriae detected or not detected
Reference Range
Specimen Requirements
- Specimen Type - Throat or nasopharyngeal swab
- Specimen Container(s) -Loeffler's transport medium. Specimen must be labeled with patient's full name and the date of collection. The Loeffler's transport medium must be in date and not expired.
- Minimum volume accepted - One swab in transport medium
Collection Instructions
Collect clinical specimen prior to initiation of antibiotic therapy for greatest chance of isolation of pathogen. Material for culture should be obtained with one of the following types of swab: Dacron, cotton or nasopharyngeal swab (NP). The swab must be placed on Loeffler's transport medium immediately after collection. If membranes are present and can be removed, swab from beneath the membrane. Refrigerate at 2-8°C after collection.
Storage and Transport Instructions
Specimens can be maintained at refrigerated temperatures (2°C to 8°C to protect viability. Do not freeze or ship frozen. Ship specimen overnight to Central Laboratory as soon as possible. The specimen should be received in the State Lab no later than 3 days from the original collection date.
Causes for Rejection
- Delayed in transport
- Not in proper transport medium
- Specimen arrived frozen
- Transport medium is past the expiration date
- The Lab form 93 is missing required information
- No lab slip received with specimen
Limitations for the Procedure
The colleciton of a clinical specimen should occur prior to the initiation of antibiotic therapy for recovery of suspected microorganism. Colocintes of Corynebacterium diphtheriae maybe overgrown or inhibited by other members of resident flora.
**Submission of a clinical specimen requires prior authorization from the Louisiana OPH Infectious Disease Epidemtiology Program for submission to Central Lab.**
Interfering Substances
References
- Manual of Clinical Microbiology 8th edition
Additional Information
Use Lab Form 93 and supply the following information:
- Patient's Last Name and First Name
- Patient's Gender
- Patient's Date of Birth
- Date and Time of Collection
- Specimen Source
- Test Requested (Corynebacterium diphtheriae)
- Submitter Information
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