Gastrointestinal Culture
- Synonyms: Stool Culture
- LIS Mnemonic: CGI
Collect
Stool, colonic aspirate, colonic wash
Rectal swab if stool not possible
Refer to Stability and Transport for appropriate submission
Collect using Enteric Transport Media/sterile container depending on your location
Volume Required
1 tbsp or 1 gram of stool OR 5ml colonic wash/aspirate OR double swab culture device
Minimum Required
Same as volume required
Transport
Unpreserved stool/colonic wash/aspirate in sterile container: immediately at room temperature.
Stool in Enteric Transport Media or rectal swab: ASAP at room temperature
DO NOT REFRIGERATE OR FREEZE
Stability
Unpreserved Stool: must be received in Lab within 30 minutes of collection.
Specimen in Enteric Transport Media: must be received in Lab within 72 hours of collection.
Processing
Stool pathogens routinely cultured for: Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Yersinia, Aeromonas, Plesiomonas, beta-hemolytic Vibrio spp., and E. coli 0157:H7. Any other organisms would need a special request.
Unacceptable conditions
Unpreserved Stools received >30 minutes after collection;
diapers containing stool; refrigerated or frozen specimens; this specimen not appropriate for anaerobic culture.
Specimen Handling
Stool Specimen Transport Guidelines for Microbiologic Testing
Days Performed
Daily
Reported
Updates daily until final
CPT
87045
Methodology
Culture
Remarks
Also referred to as "Stool Culture".
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Enteric Transport Media (ETM) is available from SPD (Item #55398). If specimen is submitted in ETM only one stool per day is necessary; if not in ETM, 2 per day maximum. If swab is used for collection, place the swab in ETM and break off shaft.
Note: C.difficile Toxin, Shiga/E. coli Toxin, and non-beta hemolytic Vibrio (i.e. V. cholera)are separate requests. If a patient has diarrhea and a history of antibiotic exposure, consider C.difficile Toxin testing.
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