Name |
Faeces - Enteric pathogens |
Alternative name/Profile |
Enteric culture / Faeces / Faecal Examination / Faecal culture / Salmonella / Shigela / E. coli 0157 culture / VTEC / stx1 / stx2 / invasion plasmid antigen H / ipah / Campylobacter / Clostridium difficile / C diff / Cdiff / Cdif / Giardia Lamblia/ Cryptosporidium / Gastroenteritis / Gastrointestinal tract infection / Diarrhoea / |
Department |
Microbiology |
Investigation |
Gastro Pathogen Screen, C.diff Toxin PCR, Faeces Culture and C.diff Toxin |
Specimen type |
Faeces |
Sample type |
Stool specimen |
Sample container & volume |
Sterile universal container containing a minimum volume of 2-3 ml of loose/liquid specimen. A maximum volume of half the container full should be the limit.
DO NOT OVERFILL CONTAINER, AS LEAKING SAMPLES MAY NOT BE TESTED |
Frequency of analysis |
Daily |
Turnaround time |
4 days (Routine testing)
1 day (C.difficile)
|
Availability |
Monday - Friday (Routine testing)
Monday - Sunday (C.difficile) |
Notes |
- Routine culture for Salmonella, Shigella spp., Campylobacter spp., and E.coli 0157 : Investigation of stool specimens for these pathogens is now be performed using a molecular diagnostic assay, EntericBio realtime Gastro panel
- Detection of C.difficile toxin B is by the EntericBio realtime C. difficile assay, which detects the C. difficile toxin B gene (tcdB) directly.
- Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum/ hominis & Giardia lamblia are now also performed using molecular diagnostic assay, EntericBio realtime Gastro panel
- Only loose or liquid specimens will be processed i.e. sample must assume the shape of the specimen container.
- Investigation of stool specimens for Salmonella enterica spp., Shigella spp., Campylobacter jejuni/coli/lari and Stx1/Stx2, Cryptosporidium parvum/ hominis and Giardia lamblia is not performed following in-patient stay of >72 hours unless clinically indicated and requestsed.
- Investigation of stool specimens for C. difficile toxin B gene (tcdB) is performed on all suitable specimens provided the patient has not been tested within the previous 10 day period. An exception can only be made with approval of consultant microbiologist.
- Positive cultures which may require further work will have an increased turnaround time.Other enteric pathogens e.g. Yersinia, Vibrio, Aeromonas, ova and parasites are only examined if the clinical details suggest that possibility.
- Please note the possibility of Norovirus infection and state whether vomiting is a feature or whether an outbreak is suspected.
- Please send a blood culture if typhoid fever is suspected.
- Send sample to the laboratory without delay. Sample should be refrigerated if not transported immediately
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Related links |
For information regarding when to send a stool sample, how many samples to send and how much to send see Microbiology Department |
Reference range |
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Last updated |
Thu, 13 Mar 2025 07:58:10 GMT |
