Stool culture
- Synonyms: Gastrointestinal 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 or sterile container depending on you location
Volume Required
1tbsp 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 (ETM) 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 the Lab within 72 hours of collection.
Processing
Stool pathogens routinely cultured for: Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Yersinia, Aeromonas, Plesiomonas and beta-hemolytic Vibrio, and E. coli 0157:H7. Any other organism needs a special request.
Unacceptable conditions
Unpreserved stools received >30 minutes after collection; diapers containing stool; refrigerated or frozen specimens; this specimen is not appropriate for anaerobic culture.
Days Performed
Daily
Reported
Updates Daily Until Final
Reflex Testing
N/A
CPT
87045
Methodology
Culture
Remarks
Also referred to as "Gastrointestinal 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 the shaft.
Note: C.difficile Toxin, Shiga/E.coli Toxin, and non-beta hemolytic Vibrio (i.e. V. cholera) require separate requests. If a patient has diarrhea and a history of antibiotic exposure, consider C.difficile Toxin testing.
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