Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Strep)
Clinical Specimen Submission Guidance
Submit all specimens to 150 Richmond Street, Suite 100, Providence, RI 02903. Open Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Learn how and where to drop off your lab samples at our Laboratory Central Services webpage.
Special Pathogens & Biothreats Laboratory 401-222-5586
Streptococcus pyogenes invasive, (Group A Strep invasive)
Streptococcal Disease (invasive Strep A)
Isolates are Confirmed and banked at the RISHL pending potential further testing to support epidemiological investigations.
Isolates are also forwarded to RISHL Core Sequencing Lab for testing.
Submit freshly growing, pure isolate from invasive disease (normally sterile site) on appropriate plated media. (24-hour agar plate preferred)
Secure plate with parafilm seal or other appropriate barrier film.
Appropriate agar slants secured with a screw cap may be submitted if necessary.
CLIA regulations require specimens be labeled with at least two patient identifiers. Examples of identifiers are first and last name, date of birth, chart/medical record number. The specimen container must be labeled to match the test requisition or the electronic order.
Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) test requisition form https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf
Bacterial Isolate. (regulatory compliance)
Write "S. pyogenes" under Comments/Other Test Requests
Transport isolates at refrigerated temperature 2-8°C as soon as possible after identification.
Specimens must be packaged & transported in accordance with current federal shipping regulations.
The following rejection criteria will be used to ensure accurate specimen information and specimen condition for testing:
- Specimen received outside acceptable transport range
- Demographics different / Unable to read identifiers on specimen
- Two identifiers required on specimen
- No specimen received
Providers must report patient information on Streptococcal Disease (Group A (invasive)) within 4 days using the RIDOH reportable disease form.
Isolates are confirmed and banked in the event further testing is epidemiologically indicated.
Containers specifically labeled for transport of specimens and isolates to the RISHL Special Pathogens & Biothreats Laboratory are available in all Microbiology Laboratories and Laboratory Send-out Departments.