Overview
EPIC Code:
- LAB244
Soft Test Code:
- CHLM
Send Out Test Code:
- 690
Alternate Names
- Chlamydia Culture
- Chlamydia trachomatis Culture
- Culture Chlamydia
- Culture, Chlamydia trachomatis
Clinical Significance
Chlamydiae Species Culture - C. trachomatis is associated with infections of the mucous membranes of the urogenital system, the upper respiratory tract and the eye. It may be sexually transmitted; resulting diseases include urethritis, cervicitis, salpingitis, epididymitis, proctitis and lymphogranuloma venereum. C. pneumoniae is associated with both upper and lower respiratory infections. Infections of the upper respiratory tract and eye usually occur in newborns exposed at parturition. In adults, eye infection may be transmitted by hand after contact with secretions. Isolation by tissue culture is recommended when testing individuals for legal purposes.
Specimen Collection & Preparation
Client Notes:
This specimen must reach the Parkview Health Laboratories within 48 hours of collection.
Please contact the Client Response Department to verify the possible receipt time of the specimen, and the possibility of a special courier.
Test Notes:
Order must include the site and/or source of collection.
Acceptable sources: Endocervical, Endourethral, or Rectal mucosa (without feces)
Specimen Requirements:
-OR-
1.0 mL swab in a Viral Culture Media (VCM ) green-cap tube
Minimum Volume:
1 Swab in VCM *Neonatal Volume:
Pediatric Vaginal swab on children <13 years** This volume does not allow for repeat testing
Specimen Information:
Rejection Criteria:
Specimens submitted in Viral Transport Media that do not support Chlamydia
Wooden shaft and calcium alginate swabs
Bacterial transport systems
Molecular transport systems
Respiratory specimens
Eye (conjunctival) specimens
Dry swab
Transport and Storage:
-
Ambient:
Unacceptable
-
Refrigerated:
48 Hours
Best recovery is obtained when the specimens are refrigerated at 2-8° C prior to shipment.
-
Frozen (-20 C or colder):
Unacceptable
-
Ultra Frozen (-70 C or colder or by dry ice):
30 Days
Transport on dry ice
Clinical Interpretation
Reference Range:
Not Isolated
Methodology:
- Centrifugation-Enhanced Culture w/ Monoclonal Antibody Detection
Clinical Significance
Chlamydiae Species Culture - C. trachomatis is associated with infections of the mucous membranes of the urogenital system, the upper respiratory tract and the eye. It may be sexually transmitted; resulting diseases include urethritis, cervicitis, salpingitis, epididymitis, proctitis and lymphogranuloma venereum. C. pneumoniae is associated with both upper and lower respiratory infections. Infections of the upper respiratory tract and eye usually occur in newborns exposed at parturition. In adults, eye infection may be transmitted by hand after contact with secretions. Isolation by tissue culture is recommended when testing individuals for legal purposes.
Documentation
Due to potential propagation of SARS-CoV-2 virus in Chlamydia culture cells, respiratory and eye specimens are no longer accepted.
The recommended alterative for respiratory specimens is Quest 16003 Chlamydophila pneumoniae DNA, Qualitative Real-Time PCR
he recommended alterative for eye specimens is Quest 13525 Chlamydia trachomatis/Neisseria gonorrhoeae RNA, TMA, Conjunctiva
Production Schedule
Sites Performed
- Quest - Chantilly
Days Performed
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Departments
- Sendouts - Clinical
Turn Around Time
4 to 5 days
Coding & Compliance
CDM
00917027, 00917026
CPT Coding
87110, 87140