Salmonella and Shigella, Culture [10019X]

Test Code

664

CPT Codes
87045

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 a modified Cary-Blair transport medium

Minimum Volume

1 gram or 1 mL stool • 1 rectal swab

Other Acceptable Specimens

1 rectal swab collected in a modified Cary-Blair transport medium, or Amies liquid elution swab (ESwab®) or Amies liquid or gel transport swab or equivalent

Instructions

Collect stool in a clean, dry container and then transfer to an enteric transport vial containing modified Cary-Blair medium or place rectal swab in a modified Cary-Blair transport medium or Amies transport medium.

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Modified Cary-Blair transport medium
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?)

Dry rectal swab • Raw stool not in transport medium • Specimens in transport medium other than those listed as acceptable • Modified Cary-Blair with a yellow-colored solution, indicating the sample has exceeded the buffering capacity

Methodology

Bacterial Culture • Aerobic isolation and identification procedures

Setup Schedule

Set up: Daily; Report available: 3-6 days

Limitations

Diarrhea may be caused by a wide variety of organisms and other factors.

Reference Range

Not isolated

Clinical Significance

Salmonella and shigella represent two of the most common bacterial causes of diarrhea. If other common causes of diarrhea are suspected, they must be ordered individually. For many patients, the cause of gastrointestinal infection is not identified.

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly, VA 20153

Last Updated: May 19, 2016

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.