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Test Code LAB4527 CULTURE, STOOL

Important Note

Obtain stool C&S vial from lab prior to collection attempt.

A stool culture should not be performed on patients who have been hospitalized for more than 3 days.

Infectious

Specimen Type

Cary-Blair Stool Container or Para-Pack C&S Container

Collection Instructions

If delay of 1 hour or more is anticipated for the specimen to reach the laboratory, submit a portion of stool in Cary-Blair transport tube or enteric transport media.

Specimen Volume

Fill to Red Line

Turnaround Time

72 hours

Test Schedule

Daily

Sample Stability

Room Temp: 2 days
 

Stool must be placed in the vial within 1 hour of collection. 

Specimen Processing

Store and transport at room temperature

Method

Organism Isolation

Culture

Reference Ranges

Negative:

No Salmonella, Shigella, Enterohemorrhagic Escheria Coli, Aeromonas, Plesiomonas, Campylobacter, or Staphylococcus aureus isolated

 

The potential for any of the following could be positive:

Salmonella, Shigella, Enterohemorrhagic Escheria coli, Aeromonas, Plesiomonas, Campylobacter, or Staphylococcus aureus

 

Synonyms

Feces Culture, Stool Cx, Stool Culture

Test Components

Culture, Stool

CPT Codes

87045, 87046 × 2

Test Limitations

If Yersinia or Vibrio is suspected, please note on request form.
 

The patient should be cautioned against the use of antacids, barium, bismuth, antidiarrheal medication, or oily laxatives prior to the collection of the specimen.

Rejection Criteria

Stool that has not been processed or placed in transport media within 1 hour of collection

Stool that has been refrigerated

Stool contaminated with urine

Stool that has been frozen