CAP Pro Course - Microbiology - Genital Tract Pathogens (2025 & 2026)

Author: Amber E. Cochran, PhD(ABD), MPH, MLS(ASCP)
Reviewer: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM

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 patients.

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
      • Common Viral Pathogens Involved in Genital Tract Infections
      • A 32-year-old patient, at 36 weeks of gestation, presented to the OB/GYN clinic complaining of itchiness and pain in the genital area. The patient den...
      • Which virus is associated with benign genital warts and cervical cancer, with identification methods available from multiple departments, such as rout...
      • Andre is working in the microbiology department when a specimen is received with orders for nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) for chlamydia (C...
      • What is the etiological agent most commonly associated with septicemia and meningitis in newborns?
      • Which of the following organisms in the family Mycoplasmataceae has not been connected with human genital infections?
      • Excluding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV), which common pathogen is considered a sexually transmitted disease that will...
  • 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 for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae
      • Table 3: Specimen Transport Based on Requested Testing for Candida sp. and T. vaginalis
      • Table 4: Specimen Transport Based on Requested Testing for Mycoplasmas and Viral Agents
      • Which of the following mediums is appropriate for the isolation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae?
      • Specimens collected for genital mycoplasma testing should be collected using specific transport devices. Which of the following is a proper device (or...
      • When collecting genital specimens for culture, which organism relies on a charcoal medium for transport to the laboratory in support of optimal recove...
      • Specimens for viral culture should be transported in media containing what ingredient?
  • 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
      • Laboratory Identification of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae
      • Laboratory Identification of Genital Mycoplasmas and Haemophilus ducreyi
      • In some cases where antibiotic susceptibilities are warranted, which organism requires tissue cell cultures for growth?
      • A physician has ordered a genital culture and has requested a Nugent score. From the image, provide an interpretation of this Gram stain based on the ...
      • Which procedure is appropriate for the culture of genital specimens in order to recover Chlamydia species?
      • Modified Thayer-Martin agar (MTM) is used primarily for the selective recovery of which organism from genital specimens?
      • Which organism typically produces "fried egg" colonies with red holes (red "yolks") on agar within one to five days of culture from a genital specimen...
      • Intracellular gram-negative diplococci (GNDC) are diagnostic for Neisseria gonorrhoeae in which of the following specimens?
      • Why is culture for Gardnerella vaginalis not recommended?
  • Identify optimal methods for the detection of group B streptococci in pregnant patients.
      • Significance of Group B Streptococci in Pregnancy and Necessity for Detection
      • Recommended Methods for Transport and Detection of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in Pregnant Patients
      • A rectovaginal swab was collected from a pregnant patient at 36 weeks gestation and sent to the laboratory for culture and molecular testing of group ...
      • A 17-day-old baby was admitted to the hospital with a fever and hyperactivity (excessive crying and difficulty feeding and sleeping). During delivery,...
      • Which of the following statements about group B Streptococcus in pregnant patients is false?
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for medical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory technicians, as well as medical laboratory science students, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists.
Author Information: 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. Amber is the Clinical Laboratory Manager in the Bacteriology Unit at the Georgia Public Health Laboratory in Decatur, Georgia.
Reviewer Information: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM, is an Education Developer. She earned a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of North Dakota and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Saint Xavier University. She has over 15 years of experience in higher education and has held program director and faculty positions in both MLT and MLS programs.

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