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Stool Culture
MessageTesting performed at York Hospital Laboratory.
If positive, an identification and sensitivity will be performed at an additional charge.
If positive, an identification and sensitivity will be performed at an additional charge.
Test Code
CSST
CPT Codes
87015, 87045, 87046, 87899
Includes
Examined for: Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) Shiga-toxin.
Screening for Yersinia will not be performed routinely. Order Code CSSTY for Stool Culture R/O Yersinia.
Screening for Vibrio, Aeromonas, and Plesiomonas are special requests and will be performed if requested.
Screening for Yersinia will not be performed routinely. Order Code CSSTY for Stool Culture R/O Yersinia.
Screening for Vibrio, Aeromonas, and Plesiomonas are special requests and will be performed if requested.
Preferred Specimen
Unpreserved stool
Stool preserved in an enteric transport medium (Cary-Blair) is also acceptable.
Rectal swabs (2) are acceptable for patients with active gastrointestinal disease, pediatric patients, or when performing surveillance for carriers or outbreaks.
Stool Specimens for routine bacterial culture from patients who have been hospitalized for more than 3 days should not be processed without prior consult. Exceptions to this policy should include patients admitted with diarrhea or those whose underlying diagnosis suggests enteric bacterial infection.
Consider Clostridium difficile toxin (see specific requirements) for nosocomial diarrhea and for all patients over 6 months of age with clinically significant diarrhea and a history of antibiotic exposure.
Stool preserved in an enteric transport medium (Cary-Blair) is also acceptable.
Rectal swabs (2) are acceptable for patients with active gastrointestinal disease, pediatric patients, or when performing surveillance for carriers or outbreaks.
Stool Specimens for routine bacterial culture from patients who have been hospitalized for more than 3 days should not be processed without prior consult. Exceptions to this policy should include patients admitted with diarrhea or those whose underlying diagnosis suggests enteric bacterial infection.
Consider Clostridium difficile toxin (see specific requirements) for nosocomial diarrhea and for all patients over 6 months of age with clinically significant diarrhea and a history of antibiotic exposure.
Transport Container
Sterile Container, Leak-Proof
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
Unpreserved Specimen
Room temperature: 1 hour
Refrigerated: 24 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable
Cary-Blair Transport Media
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable
Room temperature: 1 hour
Refrigerated: 24 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable
Cary-Blair Transport Media
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Stool contaminated with urine or paper, such as a specimen in diapers
Methodology
Culture
Immunochromatography
Setup Schedule
Daily
Report Available
Negative Culture - Finalized at 3 days
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. The York Hospital Laboratory evaluates stool cultures for the most common intestinal pathogens:
Campylobacter species
Salmonella species
Shigella species
Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7
Campylobacter species
Salmonella species
Shigella species
Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7
