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CULTURE, FECES
Message- Submit only one sample per day
- Stool cultures on patients hospitalized >/= 3 days are not productive and should not be ordered unless special circumstances exist.
- If patient's length of stay was >3 days and admitting diagnosis was not gastroenteritis, consider Clostridium Difficile.
Test Code
Alias/See Also
CPT Codes
87045 Culture, bacterial; feces, with isolation and preliminary examination, Salmonella and Shigella species 87046 x2 Culture, bacterial; stool, additional pathogens, isolation and preliminary examination, each plate The following testing may be added as appropriate based on findings for organism identification. Please note: multiple additions are possible if more than one organism is identified. 87046 For each individual additional pathogen 87077 Aerobic isolate, additional methods required for definitive identification of isolates as appropriate 87106 Culture, fungi definitive identification, each organism
Includes
Includes: Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Aeromonas, Pleisiomonas, Edwardsiella tarda, and Klebsiella oxytoca.
Culture for predominant organism or other enteric pathogens such as Yersinia, E. Coli 0157, or Vibrio must be specifically requested since special isolation procedures are required.
Note: This culture does not include a gram stain
Preferred Specimen
Minimum Volume
Add enough sample to Para-Pak C&S container so that fluid reaches the red fill line. DO NOT OVERFILL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Instructions
Sample must be submitted in Para-Pak C&S vial. Instruct patient in proper collection of specimen. Caution the patient against the use of antacids, barium, bismuth, etc. prior to collection of specimen. Collect in the acute phase of diarrheal illness, before antimicrobial therapy is started
Transport Container
Para-Pak C&S Vial
Outreach clients: Supplies can be ordered via the online supply order form found on our website at www.alvernolabs.com or by calling the Client Service department at 219-989-3700.
Hospital clients: Supplies can be ordered from the vendor; Catalogue #900612 Item #23205, orange cap, 20 vials per case.
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Preserved stool:
- 15-30°C up to 96 hours
- 2-8°C up to 48 hours
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
The following conditions will result in sample rejection:
- Quantity not sufficient; unpreserved samples; sample submitted in a diaper; multiple samples collected on the same day; improperly labeled specimens, specimen contaminated with urine and/or water; leaking container, specimen containing interfering substances such as castor oil, bismuth, barium, Vaseline®, Metamucil®, or other cream contaminants.
Methodology
Routine culture
Setup Schedule
Report Available
Reference Range
Negative for Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Aeromonas, or Pleisiomonas
Cultures that are positive for Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Aeromonas, or Pleisiomonas will be phoned
Clinical Significance
A stool culture is used to detect the presence of disease-causing bacteria (pathogenic) and help diagnose an infection of the digestive tract. It is often used along with other tests such as an O&P test that detects parasites in the stool and/or Clostridium difficile and C. difficile toxin tests, to help determine the cause of prolonged diarrhea. In establishing the cause, the test can help guide treatment, determining whether antibiotics or other medication may be necessary to resolve symptoms.
Performed By
Alverno Laboratories
Performing Laboratory
Alverno Central Lab
NMIC (Microbiology)
Last Updated: September 20, 2023
