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Escherichia coli O157, Culture
Test Code8631
CPT Codes
87046
Includes
If culture is positive, an identification will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 87077).
Antibiotic susceptibilities are only performed when appropriate (CPT code(s): 87186).
Antibiotic susceptibilities are only performed when appropriate (CPT code(s): 87186).
Preferred Specimen
Stool collected in Cary-Blair stool culture transport medium
Minimum Volume
1 gram or 1 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Rectal swabs in Amies or Cary-Blair stool culture transport medium
Instructions
Collect in clean, dry container and then transfer a minimum of 1 gram or 1 mL into a Cary-Blair stool culture transport medium. Fluid level should reach line on vial.
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Stool or swab in Cary-Blair
Room temperature: 4 days
Refrigerated: 4 days
Frozen: Unacceptable
Swab in Amies
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable
Room temperature: 4 days
Refrigerated: 4 days
Frozen: Unacceptable
Swab in Amies
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Unpreserved at any temperature • Frozen specimens in Cary-Blair stool culture transport medium • Expired transport medium • Specimen in diaper or parisitology transport vial
Methodology
Culture and Serologic Confirmation
Setup Schedule
Sets up 7 days a week.
Clinical Significance
Infection by shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) can cause self-limiting diarrhea to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Serotype O157:H7, the most frequently isolated, has been isolated in large food outbreaks and sporadic cases.
