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Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel, Real-Time PCR
Test Code38470
CPT Codes
87506
Preferred Specimen
5 mL liquid or soft stool collected in Cary-Blair stool culture transport medium
Patient Preparation
Patient should not use antacids, barium, bismuth, antibiotics, anti-malarial agents, anti-diarrheal medication or oily laxatives prior to specimen collection. After administration of any of these compounds, specimen collection should be delayed for 5 to 10 days or at least two weeks after barium or antibiotics.
Instructions
Avoid contamination of stool specimen with urine or water. Specimens are best collected in a bedpan or a clean dry container. A suitable area (i.e. bloody, slimy, watery) from the sides, ends and middle of the stool should be selected using the collection spoon provided. Fill with sufficient stool to bring the liquid level up to the "Fill" line. This will result in approximately 5 mL of sample. Stir each specimen with the spoon provided, tighten the cap and shake firmly until the specimen is adequately mixed. When mixing is complete, the specimen should appear uniform. Complete the label on the vial and place the vial in the plastic bag. Transport the specimen to the laboratory.
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 4 days
Refrigerated: 5 days
Frozen: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 5 days
Frozen: Unacceptable
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Stool in Cary-Blair stool culture transport medium not filled to the pre-marked "Fill" line • Unpreserved (raw) stool at any temperature • Stool in non-Cary-Blair stool culture transport medium, frozen specimens in Cary-Blair stool culture transport medium
Methodology
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Setup Schedule
Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: 2-3 days
Reference Range
| Campylobacter Group | Not detected |
| Salmonella Species | Not detected |
| Shigella Species | Not detected |
| Vibrio Group | Not detected |
| Yersinia enterocolitica | Not detected |
| Shiga toxin 1 | Not detected |
| Shiga toxin 2 | Not detected |
| Norovirus GI/GII | Not detected |
| Rotavirus A | Not detected |
Clinical Significance
Acute diarrhea caused by bacterial and viral infection represents a significant worldwide healthcare burden. The Verigene® Enteric Pathogens Nucleic Acid Test (EP) is a multiplexed, qualitative test for simultaneous detection and identification of common pathogenic enteric bacteria, viruses, and genetic virulence markers from liquid or soft stool preserved in Cary-Blair medium, collected from individuals with signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal infection. The test is indicated as an aid in the diagnosis of specific agents of gastrointestinal illness, in conjunction with other clinical, laboratory, and epidemiological information; however, is not to be used to monitor these infections. The test also aids in the detection and identification of acute gastroenteritis in the context of outbreaks.
