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HelpTest Code LAB223 Stool Culture
Infectious
Clinical System Name
Stool Culture
Synonyms
Culture, Stool
Enteric Pathogen Culture
Fecal Leukocytes
Stool Leukocytes
Stool WBC
Shiga Toxin PCR
LAB223
Sample Requirements
Specimen: Liquid or unformed stool collected in a clean leak-proof container is the optimal sample type.
Stool in transport preservatives, such as Alpha-Tec ETM or Para-Pak C&S are acceptable for culture. Preservatives may interfere with other stool tests, such as PCR or EIA testing. Please contact the Microbiology Lab to confirm if the specimen will be acceptable for tests other than culture.
Rectal swabs are not optimal. In rare situations, exceptions may be made by contacting the Microbiology Lab 7-2585. Swab samples should be inserted at a distance sufficient to have visible stool on the swab (usually requires insertion of swab several centimeters into the rectum). Use the white capped E Swab System for collection.
Stool specimens in fixatives such as Zinc-PVA or formalin are not accepted for this test.
Container: Clean leak-proof container
Preferred volume: 1 gram or ml
Minimum volume: 0.5 gram or ml
Processing Instructions
CPA: Send sample to Microbiology for processing. If sample is shared and only one tube, syringe or other container is received, affix shared sample label and send entire sample plus requisition to Microbiology.
Off-site collection: Off-site Children's Lab locations should send to SCH Main Campus for testing. Refrigerate before and during courier transport.
Other off-site locations: Refrigerate sample prior to transport. Sample must be refrigerated during transport.
Stability
| Fresh Stool | |
|---|---|
| Temp | Time |
| Room temp | 2 hour |
| Refrigerated | 24 hours |
| Frozen | N |
Availability
| Procedure | Performed | Turn Around Time (TAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Gram Stain | 24/7 | 2 hours |
| STEC EIA | 24/7 | 24 - 48 hours |
| Culture | 24/7 | 48 - 72 hours |
Performing Laboratory
Seattle Children's Laboratory
Department
Microbiology Laboratory
CPT Codes
87045
87046
87505
This test is not limited to the CPT codes listed. Others may be added as more testing is necessary and depending on the pathogens isolated (such as MIC's and ID's)
Description
Includes culture for enteric pathogens and gram stain for polymorphonucleocytes. This test is used to test for clearance of stool pathogens following treatment rather than performing rapid PCR testing. Stool samples are cultured for Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter jejuni, Yersinia enterocolitica, and E. coli O157 as well as the infrequent causes such as Aeromonas, Vibrio, and Plesiomonas. Stool samples are also screened for Shiga Toxin producing E. coli (STEC) by EIA.
Typically, a single stool specimen is sufficient for the work-up of acute diarrhea. A minimum 3-day interval between samples is recommended. Stool specimens are preferred for this test. Rectal swabs may be accepted, but are less sensitive in detecting enteric pathogens and cannot be screened for STEC.
Please refer to Stool Infectious Diarrhea Power Plan for appropriate clinical criteria and other test choices (Rapid Infectious Diarrhea PCR Panel, Clostridium difficile Antigen and Toxin by EIA, plus Reflex PCR , Rotavirus Detection, Stool PCR Qual for Noro, Adeno+Rotavirus, Stool Giardia + Crypto EIA, Stool Helminth Worm Parasite, and Pinworm Preparation).
All tests in the Stool Infectious Diarrhea Power Plan except for Stool Helminth Worm Parasite and Stool Giardia + Crypto EIA require fresh stool specimens. Fixed stool specimens collected in e.g. “Alpha TEC PROTO-FIX” or “Para-Pak EcoFix” can only be used for Stool Helminth Worm Parasite and Stool Giardia + Crypto EIA.
Reporting Information
Preliminary Report: 24 hours
Negative Final Report: 48 hours
Notifiable Result
The following are notifiable conditions under Wa State law: Campylobacteriosis, Shiga toxin producing E coli, Salmonellosis, Shigellosis, Vibriosis, and Yersiniosis.
See Link below for Notifiable Conditions for WA State:
https://doh.wa.gov/public-health-healthcare-providers/notifiable-conditions
See Link below for PDF of phone numbers for Local Health jurisdictions (by County) in WA State:
https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1200/LHJCommunicableDiseaseReporting.pdf