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Time Sensitive

Ordering Recommendation

Preferred test for suspected bacterial diarrhea evaluation. Testing includes cultures for Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, E. coli O157, and EIA for Shiga-like toxin from E. coli. Can be used to rule out Aeromonas and Plesiomonas; specify the pathogen to rule out. For C. difficile testing, refer to Clostridium difficile toxin B gene (tcdB) by PCR (2002838).

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Stool.

Specimen Preparation

Place 5 mL stool in enteric transport media (Cary-Blair, ARUP supply #29799) immediately after collection. Available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect™ or contact ARUP Client Services at (800) 522-2787. (Min: 1 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Multiple specimens (more than one in 24 hours). Delayed transport without use of appropriate transport media.

Remarks
Stability

In transport media: Ambient: 1 hour; Refrigerated: 72 hours; Frozen: Unacceptable

Methodology

Culture/Identification

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

1-5 days
Negative culture reported at 5 days.  Positive culture reported as soon as detected.

Reference Interval

Effective May 16, 2011.

Culture negative for Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and E. coli 0157.

Interpretive Data



Compliance Category

Standard

Note

Identification and susceptibility tests are billed separately from culture. Stool Culture includes culture for Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and E. coli 0157 as well as EIA for Shiga-like toxin from E. coli. E. coli Shiga-like Toxin by EIA is billed separately.

If an isolate requires testing for Shiga-like toxin (e.g., STEC), refer to E.coli Shiga-like Toxin by EIA (ARUP test code 0060047).

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

87045; 87046 x2; Identification CPT codes may vary based on method

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0060134 Culture, Stool 625-4
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • Culture, Stool
  • E. coli O157:H7 Culture
  • Enteric Pathogens Culture, Stool
  • Feces Culture, Routine
Stool Culture and E. coli Shiga-like Toxin by EIA