Stool culture
Test Code
CXSTO
Description
Collect
Collect stool in sterile cup.
Preferred: 1 mL in Carey Blair medium transport container.
Patient Prep
If possible avoid recent antibiotics, x-ray contrast material, antidiarrheal medications, antacids, bismuth or oil products. One stool per day for three days is recommended.
Unacceptable Conditions
Diapers
Storage Transport Temp
Refrigeration of stool specimens is not recommended since some bacteria, particularly Shigella, will not survive the acidic PH changes that occur with a drop in temperature.
If delay is more than 1 hour then transport in Cary-Blair media.
Stability
2 hours room temperature in sterile cup
Up to 7 days in Cary-Blair media
Notes
Refrigeration can retard bacterial growth, transport at RT.
Performed
7 days a week
Methodology
Conventional Culture
Turnaround Time
3 days
Department
Microbiology Lab
Synonyms
STOLC
Reference Interval
By Report
CPT Code
87045