Escherichia coli O157, Culture

Test Code
8631Q


Quest Code
8631


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).


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 Container
Cary-Blair stool culture transport medium


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


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
Daily


Report Available
4-8 days


Reference Range
None isolated


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.


Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute-San Juan Capistrano, CA
33608 Ortega Highway
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2042




The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.