CAP Pro Course - Microbiology - Genital Tract Pathogens

(based on 392 customer ratings)

Author: Amber E. Cochran, PhD(ABD), MPH, MLS(ASCP)CM, SM(ASCP)CM
Reviewer: Julie Ann West, PhD, MLS(ASCP)

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Recognize the incidence of common pathogens involved in genital tract infections and determine the optimal method of detection used for identification.
  • Describe proper procedures used for the collection and transport of appropriate genital specimens.
  • Define proper procedures used in the identification of agents involved in genital tract infections.
  • Identify optimal methods for the detection of group B streptococci in pregnant women.

Course Outline

  • Recognize the incidence of common pathogens involved in genital tract infections and determine the optimal method of detection used for identification.
      • Table 1. Non-viral Pathogens Commonly Involved in Genital Tract Infections
      • Three Most Common Causative Agents of Vaginal Discharge
      • Non-viral Causative Agents and Associated Disease/Condition
      • Common Viral Pathogens Involved in Genital Tract Infections
      • Culture is not an optimal method of detection for which etiological agent listed below?
      • Which viral vaccines are specifically available for administration in children ages 11-12?
      • A 30-year-old waitress presented to the ER with a high-grade fever, headache, and a diffused rash. She admitted to being sexually active and has had r...
      • A 3-week-old infant presented at the Emergency Room with lethargy, fever, and apnea. While awaiting laboratory results, the infant suffered from a sei...
      • In symptomatic patients, which pathogen presents with foul-smelling, purulent (contains pus), frothy, yellow-green vaginal discharge?
      • Which etiological agent is responsible for toxic shock syndrome (TSS) in association with tampon usage?
  • Describe proper procedures used for the collection and transport of appropriate genital specimens.
      • Proper Collection Methods of Specimens Submitted for Recovery of Genital Pathogens
      • Table 2. Specimen Transport Based on Requested Testing: C. trachomatis - N. gonorrhoeae
      • Table 3. Specimen Transport Based on Requested Testing: Candida sp. - T. vaginalis
      • Table 4. Specimen Transport Based on Requested Testing: Mycoplasmas - Viral Agents
      • For nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) testing such as Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis, what type of ur...
      • In which genital specimen would a preferred collection method necessitate the use of a needle (ie, to remove some of the top portion prior to sample c...
      • What is the primary method of testing for syphilis (Treponema pallidum)?
      • Generally speaking: For genital tract cultures, which swab is the preferred or recommended method for collection and transport?
  • Define proper procedures used in the identification of agents involved in genital tract infections.
      • Distinguishing Features and Clinical Presentation of the Agents of Vaginitis
      • Laboratory Identification of the Agents of Vaginitis
      • Laboratory Identification of the Agents of Vaginitis: Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
      • Laboratory Identification of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae
      • Laboratory Identification of Genital Mycoplasmas and Haemophilus ducreyi
      • Which agent of vaginitis is associated with a "strawberry-like" cervix (reddened epithelium with punctate strawberry-like lesions and itching)?
      • When reviewing wet mounts, which condition is associated with a "fishy" odor upon the addition of a solution such as KOH?
      • While reading culture plates on the miscellaneous bench, a blood agar plate is growing predominately what appears to be yeast as the edges of the colo...
      • A 28-year-old sexually active woman presented to her gynecologist with a four-day history of vaginal inflammation and a thick, whitish discharge. A sa...
      • A 25-year-old male presents with urethral discharge. Intracellular gram-negative diplococci are present on the initial Gram stain. What is the most li...
      • Small, flat, gray, smooth colonies grow on enriched chocolate agar after four days of incubation in CO2. The Gram stain is consistent with gram-negati...
      • Which organism below has not been FDA-approved for NAAT in male urine specimens?
  • Identify optimal methods for the detection of group B streptococci in pregnant women.
      • Significance of Group B Streptococci in Pregnancy and Necessity for Detection
      • Recommended Methods for Transport and Detection of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in Pregnant Women
      • GBS identified from a urine culture anytime during pregnancy is suggestive of all of the following except:
      • Which method of identification is ideal to test for group B Streptococcus (GBS) at time of delivery?
      • Group B Streptococcus (GBS) morphology includes small, opaque, round colonies. White _____-hemolytic colonies on blood agar are seen approximately 95%...
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for MLS, MT, and MLT personnel, medical laboratory science students and interns, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists.
Author: Amber E. Cochran, PhD(ABD), MPH, MLS(ASCP) received a Bachelor's in Medical Technology from Georgia Reagents University in Augusta, Georgia. She attended Walden University and completed a Master's in Public Health. Amber is working on her dissertation to receive her PhD in Public Health. Her last position was Clinical Laboratory Supervisor of Microbiology at Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville, GA. Currently, Amber is the Clinical Laboratory Manager in the Bacteriology Unit at the Georgia Public Health Laboratory in Decatur, Georgia.
Reviewer Information: Dr. Julie Ann West is certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) and as a Specialist in Microbiology (SM). In addition, Dr. West has earned a PhD in Public Health - Infectious Disease Epidemiology - and is Certified in Public Health (CPH) by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Dr. West is experienced as a Technical Specialist, Safety Officer, Educator, and Lead in the Veterans Administration Healthcare System, and has prior experience as an Administrative Laboratory Director.

This course is part of the CAP Competency Assessment Hub.

See other included Pro courses

See other included instrument checklists