Test ID: CDIP
Corynebacterium diphtheriae Culture
NY State Approved 
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Confirmation of the clinical diagnosis of diphtheria
Method Name A short description of the method used to perform the test
Conventional Culture Technique
Reporting Name A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Aliases Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Specimen Type Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Sources: Nasopharynx or throat
Collection Container/Tube: Swab
Submission Container/Tube: Modified Stuart transport device (T092 or T515)
Specimen Volume: Entire specimen
Additional Information: Specimen source is required.
Reject Due To Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | NA |
| Lipemia | NA |
| Icterus | NA |
| Other | NA |
Specimen Stability Information Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Varies | Ambient (preferred) | 24 hours |
| Refrigerated | 24 hours |
Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Diphtheria occurs in 2 forms, respiratory and cutaneous, but is an uncommon disease in the United States since the advent of universal vaccination in the 1940’s. The organism is carried in the upper respiratory tract and is spread by droplet infection or hand-to mouth contact. The incubation period averages 2 to 5 days. The illness is characterized by fever, malaise, and a sore throat. A swab from beneath the thick pseudomembrane covering the posterior pharynx is the preferred specimen for culture. The organisms multiplying at the infection site produce an exotoxin that may also result in systemic complications affecting the heart, nervous system, etc. Diphtheria is treated by prompt administration of antitoxin, as well as antibiotics (penicillin or a macrolide) to eliminated the focus of infection and prevent the spread of the organism.
The diagnosis of diphtheria is based on clinical criteria and treatment must be initiated prior to laboratory confirmation. Testing is indicated to confirm a clinical diagnosis.
Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
No growth of Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
A positive result supports a diagnosis of diphtheria
A negative result is evidence against a diagnosis of diphtheria but does not definitively rule out this disease (eg, culture may be negative because of prior antimicrobial therapy)
Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R: In Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th edition. Philadelphia, PA, Elsevier Inc., 2005, pp 2457-2465
Method Description Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
Culture is performed using sheep blood agar and the selective media, cystine-tellurite blood agar, incubated at 35 degrees C in A CO(2)-enriched atmosphere. Colonies of Corynebacterium diphtheriae on tellurite containing agar are gray-black, while most of the usual oral flora are inhibited. Suspect colonies are identified by conventional methods to rule out Corynebacterium diphtheriae. For Mayo Clinic patients or Mayo Medical Laboratories clients from Minnesota, isolates identified as Corynebacterium diphtheriae are forwarded to the Minnesota Health Department for toxin production testing.
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Monday through Sunday; Continuously
Analytic Time Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.
Maximum Laboratory Time Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location The location of the laboratory that performs the test
Test Classification Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
CPT Code Information Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
87081-Corynebacterium diphtheriae culture
87077-Additional identification procedure (if appropriate)
87077-Identification by commercial kit (if appropriate)
87077-Identification by MALDI-TOF mass spec (if appropriate)
87153-Aerobe identification by sequencing (if appropriate)
LOINC® Code Information Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| CDIP | C. diphtheria Culture | In Process |
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