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Test Code LAB223 Culture, Stool

Infectious

Specimen Type

Unformed stool or Rectal swab

Specimen Requirement

Stool: at least 5 ml of diarrheal stool 1 gram of unformed stool (walnut size) Pass specimen directly into a dry, clean container with a tight fitting lid and transport immediately.

OR

Transfer specimen into commercial transport vial (observe fill-line).  Do not overfill the container.

 

Rectal Swab: Carefully insert a Culturette swab 1 inch beyond the anal sphincter. Gently rotate the swab to sample the anal crypts. Feces should be visible on the swab. Swabs are only recommended for infants.

Swabs have not be validated for Shiga-toxin testing.

 

Rejection Criteria

Reject is specimen container is unlabeled or leaking.

Reject for inappropriate storage or transport.

Reject if stool is formed.

Reject if no feces visible on swab.

Reject if inpatient > 3 days.

Storage and Transport

Transport fresh stool to the Microbiology Lab or refrigerate (2-8°C) immediately. If transport is delayed >2 hours, transfer appropriate amount of specimen to stool transport media (eg. MCC). Shake the specimen to ensure proper mixing with transport media. Store specimens in transport media at 2-8° C for up to 72h.

 

Store rectal swab in swab transport device at room temperature for up to 24 hours.

Testing Schedule

Performed daily

Reference Range

No Campylobacter, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Shigella,
Aeromonas, or Plesiomonas shigelloides isolated.

Shiga toxin negative.

Testing Department

Microbiology

Method

Culture for stool pathogens

AND

Shiga toxin antigen detection

CPT Code

87045, 87046 × 2, and 87899

Turnaround Time

Preliminary Result 24 hours

STAT Turnaround Time

Not Applicable