| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Stool Culture
Test CodeLAB1318
Alias/See Also
CXSTL; Campylobacter Culture, Stool; E. Coli O157 Culture, Stool; Salmonella and Shigella Culture, Stool, Fecal Pathogens Culture
CPT Codes
87045
Includes
Routine stool culture consists of looking for Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter sp, and E. coli 0157 and Shiga Toxin 1 and 2 immunoassay. If physician is looking for other stool pathogens (eg, Vibrio, Yersinia, etc), the information must be indicated on the order
Preferred Specimen
Stool
Minimum Volume
1 g OR 1 mL
Instructions
OUTPATIENT:
Two red cap ETM vials are provided, 1 Room Temperature and 1 Refrigerated.
Preferred specimen: Stool
1) Stool specimens should be passed into a dry, clean container, the stool must NOT be contaminated with urine or water
2) Slimy, bloody, or watery stool, if present, should be selected and placed into each vial. Place enough specimen to reach the FILL LINE.
3) Carefully break up the specimen and swirl the contents thoroughly using the spork (attached to the cap). Screw on and tighten the cap without further mixing or shaking.
4) Label each vial (Room Temperature and Refrigerated) with appropriate patient information including name, date and time of collection.
INPATIENT:
Preferred specimen: Stool
Minimum volume: 1 g or 1 ml
Stool specimens should be passed into a dry, clean container, the stool must NOT be contaminated with urine or water
Instructions: Collect stool in clean container and deliver to lab immediately, OR
Place enough stool into enteric (red top vial) preservative vial to bring level of liquid to indicated fill line. Label, mix well, and send to the laboratory immediately.
Transport container: Clean container -ETM (Enteric Transport Medium) transport medium, red cap vial
Two red cap ETM vials are provided, 1 Room Temperature and 1 Refrigerated.
Preferred specimen: Stool
1) Stool specimens should be passed into a dry, clean container, the stool must NOT be contaminated with urine or water
2) Slimy, bloody, or watery stool, if present, should be selected and placed into each vial. Place enough specimen to reach the FILL LINE.
3) Carefully break up the specimen and swirl the contents thoroughly using the spork (attached to the cap). Screw on and tighten the cap without further mixing or shaking.
4) Label each vial (Room Temperature and Refrigerated) with appropriate patient information including name, date and time of collection.
INPATIENT:
Preferred specimen: Stool
Minimum volume: 1 g or 1 ml
Stool specimens should be passed into a dry, clean container, the stool must NOT be contaminated with urine or water
Instructions: Collect stool in clean container and deliver to lab immediately, OR
Place enough stool into enteric (red top vial) preservative vial to bring level of liquid to indicated fill line. Label, mix well, and send to the laboratory immediately.
Transport container: Clean container -ETM (Enteric Transport Medium) transport medium, red cap vial
Transport Container
Inpatient: Collect stool in clean container and deliver to lab immediately or
Inpatient and outpatient: Clean container -ETM (Enteric Transport Medium) transport medium, red cap vial
Inpatient and outpatient: Clean container -ETM (Enteric Transport Medium) transport medium, red cap vial
Transport Temperature
OUTPATIENT:Two red cap ETM vials are provided, 1 Room Temperature and 1 Refrigerated.
INPATIENT: Room Temperature
INPATIENT: Room Temperature
Specimen Stability
Inpatient: Fresh stool at room temperature up to 1 hour.
Specimen in enteric preservative up to 5 days.
Specimen in enteric preservative up to 5 days.
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Outpatient:
Frozen stool; unacceptable preservative vial; fresh stool that is greater than 1 hour old; Rectal Swab, leaking container; overfilled preservative vial; urine or barium contamination; more than one stool culture per day.
Inpatient: Refrigerated or frozen stool; unacceptable preservative vial; fresh stool that is too old;Rectal Swab, leaking container; overfilled preservative vial; urine or barium contamination; more than one stool culture per day
Frozen stool; unacceptable preservative vial; fresh stool that is greater than 1 hour old; Rectal Swab, leaking container; overfilled preservative vial; urine or barium contamination; more than one stool culture per day.
Inpatient: Refrigerated or frozen stool; unacceptable preservative vial; fresh stool that is too old;Rectal Swab, leaking container; overfilled preservative vial; urine or barium contamination; more than one stool culture per day
Methodology
Bacterial Culture, Aerobic Isolation and Identification Procedures and Enzyme Immuno Assay.
Setup Schedule
Daily
Report Available
2 Days (longer if workup is ongoing)
Reference Range
Normal Value is:
No Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter or E. Coli O157 isolated AND
Shiga toxin 1 and Shiga toxin 2 not detected by immunoassay
No Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter or E. Coli O157 isolated AND
Shiga toxin 1 and Shiga toxin 2 not detected by immunoassay
Clinical Significance
Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter are considered pathogens when isolated from clinical specimens.
Identification of these organisms is important for treatment and infection control. The Shiga toxin assay
detects toxins produced by enterohemorrhagic E. coli and other enteric organisms which have been isolated from
patients who have hemorrhagic colitis with or without hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS).
Identification of these organisms is important for treatment and infection control. The Shiga toxin assay
detects toxins produced by enterohemorrhagic E. coli and other enteric organisms which have been isolated from
patients who have hemorrhagic colitis with or without hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS).
