GAS – Group A Streptococcus – Serotyping
Specimen Requirements
| Test Requested | Required Requisition(s) | Specimen Type | Minimum Volume | Collection Kit |
Group A Streptococcus – Serotyping |
Pure isolate on a blood agar plate; or swab of pure isolate in Amies charcoal media3 |
Submission and Collection Notes
Enter outbreak number on the requisition if this is related to an outbreak.
Indicate the following on the requisition:
- test requested
- culture information
- clinical/epidemiology
Primary cultures are not acceptable; and must be processed by the originating lab. The submitter will be contacted by telephone prior to rejection of the primary sample followed by a written report to indicate that the test has been rejected.
Storage and Transport
Label the specimen container with the patient’s full name, date of collection and one other unique identifier such as the patient’s date of birth or Health Card Number. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay.
Special Instructions
Specimen should be transferred to the laboratory within 48 hours of collection.
Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)
Streptococcus pyogenes cultures are tested Monday to Friday.
Turnaround time for typing is up to 21 days from receipt by PHO laboratory.
Streptococcus pyogenes isolates are identified by MALDI-tof.
Isolates from invasive infections as well as outbreak specimens are forwarded to the Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg for emm typing and emm Sub-Typing.
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