Escherichia coli O157 Culture [8631X]

Test Code

4221

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

1 gram or 1 mL stool collected in Cary-Blair stool culture transport medium

Minimum Volume

1 g 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

Cary-Blair transport
Room temperature: 96 hours
Refrigerated: 96 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable

Amies transport
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

Set up: Daily; Report available: 3-6 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
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly, VA 20153

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.