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Test Code STLC Culture, Stool (with Lactoferrin)

Important Note

Both the collection cup containing the raw stool specimen and the preserved specimen in transport media must be submitted to the laboratory for testing.

This test order includes rapid testing for Lactoferrin and Shiga Toxin 1 & 2 (EHEC). The primary pathogens tested for in a routine stool culture are Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter. For more comprehensive stool testing, see the GI Panel by PCR.

Infectious

Specimen Required

Specimen Type: Stool

 

Container / Tube: Sterile container (raw stool) AND Stool preserved in Cary-Blair transport media (Orange capped container with pink fluid)

CPT Codes

83630: Lactoferrin, Fecal

87045: Enteric Pathogens Culture

87046: Stool Culture, Aerobic Bacteria

Special Instructions

DO NOT take fecal specimens from the toilet bowl.

DO NOT mix urine with the fecal sample.

 

Prepare the preserved specimen within one hour: it is important to sample areas of the specimen which appear bloody, slimy, or watery. If the stool is hard, sample small amounts from each end and the middle of the specimen.

 

Preserved Specimen Preparation:

  1. Open the bottle containing the red solution (Cary-Blair media) and add enough stool to bring the liquid

      level up to the "Fill To Here" line using the spoon attached to the cap.

  2. Thoroughly mix the specimen and solution by shaking the bottle at least 20 times.

  3. Label everything appropriately.

 

Refrigerate the specimen if unable to transport it immediately to the laboratory.

Testing Schedule

Days Performed: Monday through Sunday

 

Times Performed:

*  Lactoferrin: All shifts, 24 hours a day

*  EHEC (Shiga Toxin): Day Shift only (0600 - 1430) following a 16 - 24 hour incubation

*  Cultures: Read on Day Shift only (0600 - 1430)

 

Turn-around Time:

*  Lactoferrin: 20 - 60 minutes, may be longer depending upon time of day, workload, and staffing

*  Cultures:

   *  Positive cultures are reported as soon as an organism is detected

   *  Negative or normal cultures will be final at 3 days; preliminary reports are filed daily

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