Request Streptococcal Testing

Overview

CDC's Streptococcus Laboratory primarily performs whole-genome sequence-based typing and characterization of streptococci and other Gram-positive catalase-negative cocci isolates.

Testing performed at CDC is intended for public health purposes only.

CDC is available to offer laboratory assistance to public health departments, particularly related to

• Streptococci with potentially novel features
• Outbreaks involving the pathogens of interest

Specimen acceptance criteria

CDC only accepts various specimen types for testing from public health laboratories and other federal agencies.

Specimens from private healthcare providers, microbiologists, and institutions must be submitted to a public health department laboratory for appropriate processing. Public health department laboratory staff can forward approved specimens to CDC for specialized testing.

All requests require pre-approval

Because of limited resources, the laboratory can't provide typing or molecular characterization for all requests. Testing is prioritized for isolates or specimens where information is needed to answer pressing public health questions. An outbreak is one example where typing and strain relatedness has immediate value.

Fill out a request form

• Streptococcus pneumoniae testing
• Other Streptococcus testing
  • Includes catalase-negative, Gram-positive cocci

Specimen, documentation, packaging, and shipping

Specimen requirements vary by the specific test requested.

The following links provide information on specimen, documentation, packaging, and shipping requirements:

• Streptococcus (beta hemolytic strep) typing
• Streptococcus (catalase-negative, Gram-positive coccus) identification
• Streptococcus identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing
• Streptococcus pneumoniae typing

Receiving results from CDC

CDC's Streptococcus Laboratory sends test results (PDF format) to the appropriate state public health laboratory manually via email.

These results must be used for public health purposes only, not for diagnosis, treatment, management, or assessment of patient health. They must NOT be communicated to the patient, their care provider, or placed in the patient's medical record.

Resources

Health department directories

• State and territorial health departments
• Local health departments