Fecal Leukocyte Stain [3930X]

Test Code

562

CPT Codes
89055

Preferred Specimen

10 grams or 10 mL stool or fecal pus collected in a Total-Fix® transport vial

Patient Preparation
Patients should refrain from ingesting barium for 7 days before specimen collection

Minimum Volume

5 grams or 5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Stool or fecal pus collected in Zn-PVA fixative transport vial

Instructions

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1. The specimen must be passed into a clean, dry container and must not be contaminated with urine or water. If a toilet is used, the water supply may be cut off and the bowl drained.
2. Add stool to bring the liquid level to the "Fill to here" line on the Total-Fix or Zn-PVA transport vial. Mix contents thoroughly until homogeneous.

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 30 days
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: Unacceptable

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Unpreserved stool • Stools preserved in transport media other than Total-Fix or Zn-PVA

Methodology
Microscopy

Setup Schedule

Set up: Daily; Report available: Next day

Limitations

In 10-15% of patients with invasic bacterial infection, their fecal stool will not reveal leukocytes. Fecal leukocytes may be present in idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease.

Reference Range

See Laboratory Report

Clinical Significance

The presence of leukocytes is an indicator of inflammation. Generally, inflammation is a product of bacteria-host interaction.

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.