There are several acceptable methods of specimen collection for rapid strep A testing and follow-up confirmatory culture. Guidelines for collection are determined by the local lab of the site performing the Rapid Strep Screen. Check with your local lab for details on the proper collection technique at your Center. Regardless of the method used, ESwab the posterior pharynx, tonsils, and inflamed areas. Avoid touching the tongue, cheeks, and teeth with the swab.
Notes:
- Two swabs are always required to perform both rapid antigen and culture confirmation.
- Swabs in Amies gel and ESwab are not acceptable for the rapid antigen detection. Dry swabs are not acceptable for culture.
- Dry swabs must be delivered to the local lab within 4 hours of collection.
Collection
- Use both swabs in a red cap CultureSwab device to sample the affected areas. Use one swab to perform the Point of Care rapid antigen test and submit the other swab in its tubular sleeve to the lab for confirmatory culture; or, submit both swabs in their tubular sleeve to the lab for rapid antigen test and confirmatory culture.
- Use one dry swab and one ESwab to sample the affected areas. Use the dry swab to perform the Point of Care rapid antigen test and submit the ESwab to the lab for confirmatory culture; or, submit both swabs to the lab for rapid antigen test and confirmatory culture.
Swabs:
- ESwab: collect one swab for Gram stain, aerobic and anaerobic cultures, and an additional swab for each additional culture type or stain (e.g. fungus or mycobacteria).
- Other Amies medium swab types: collect one swab for every culture and stain (including Gram) to be ordered.
See ESwab collection video for more information
For more information on Specimen Collection Media/Swab, see Specimen Transport Pictorial.