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Giardia Antigen, EIA, Stool
Test Code8625
CPT Codes
87329
Preferred Specimen
10 grams or 10 mL stool preserved in Total-Fix® or 10% formalin transport vial
Minimum Volume
5 g or 5 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Cary-Blair medium • Fresh unpreserved stool
Instructions
Transfer stool within 30 minutes of collection into formalin or Total-Fix® vial. Fill to line on transport vial. Mix contents thoroughly until homogenous.
Transport Temperature
10% Formalin or Total-Fix®: Room temperature
Cary-Blair media: Refrigerated (cold packs)
Unpreserved: Frozen
Cary-Blair media: Refrigerated (cold packs)
Unpreserved: Frozen
Specimen Stability
Total-Fix®
Room temperature: 14 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: Unacceptable
Preserved in 10% formalin
Room temperature: 18 months
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: Unacceptable
Cary-Blair media
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 7 days
Unpreserved stool
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen: 14 days
Room temperature: 14 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: Unacceptable
Preserved in 10% formalin
Room temperature: 18 months
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: Unacceptable
Cary-Blair media
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 7 days
Unpreserved stool
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen: 14 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Concentrated fecal specimens • Swab • Stool in transport media other than those listed
Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)
Setup Schedule
Set up: Sun-Fri; Report available: 2 days
Reference Range
See Laboratory Report
Clinical Significance
Giardiasis is recognized as an important human intestinal disease in most areas of the world. The causative organism, Giardia duodenalis (lamblia) is the most frequently identified protozoan parasite in stool specimens submitted to public health laboratories. This parasite has been implicated in a number of epidemics and the endemicity in the U.S., is well recognized. Acute symptoms of Giardiasis may include diarrhea, malabsorption, abdominal cramps, anorexia, nausea, weight loss, flatulence, anemia, and general weakness lasting from several weeks to several months. Chronic infections can also occur with or without an acute phase, are often associated with treatment failure and may result in recurrent symptoms. Infection with Giardia may also be asymptomatic.
