Public Health Division

Test Menu Details

Botulism Laboratory Confirmation
Updated	2/19/2025
Search Terms	Clostridium botulinum
How to Order	All specimens must be sent directly to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) laboratory. Send the CDC Specimen Submission Form 50.34 with each specimen. Additional specimen and communication requirements are listed below.
Availability	All clients. Approval by state medical epidemiologist required. Contact 971-673-1111 24/7.
Performed	Specimens are sent to CDC.
Time to Reporting	Set by reference laboratory. Preliminary results may be available as soon as 48 hours after receipt at CDC. Complete results may take up to 12 weeks.
CPT Code	N/A

Approval Process
If you have a patient presenting with symptoms of botulism and would like to obtain laboratory testing, please complete the following steps: The treating clinician must first contact Oregon Health Authority's (OHA's) 24/7 Epidemiologist On-Call to discuss the case and patient symptoms at 971-673-1111. Suspect cases of botulism are immediately reportable to public health. Do not call CDC directly. If OHA provides approval for testing, collect, store, and transport specimens in accordance with the instructions below.

Specimen Collection Details

Collection, Handling, Transport	Please reference the CDC instructions for Botulism Confirmation Testing for all required collection, handling, and transportation details. To avoid common submission errors, we are providing the following key reminders: All specimens must be sent directly to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) laboratory detailed on the Botulism Confirmation Testing instructions. Stool specimens must be collected, transported, and received at CDC within 72 hours of collection. Serum specimens must be collected before initiation of antitoxin in adults. Ensure specimens are packaged to maintain refrigerated temperatures until receipt at the CDC laboratory. (CDC checks the actual temperature inside shipping containers upon receipt.) CDC accepts deliveries Monday-Friday, except holidays. All specimens must be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers also on the specimen submission form. All specimens must be accompanied by a completed CDC 50.34 Specimen Submission Form.
Result Reporting	CDC will provide results directly to OSPHL. OSPHL will forward results to the facility on record. To ensure you get results, fax a copy of the CDC Specimen Submission Form 50.34 and OSPHL General Microbiology Test Request Form to 503-693-5604 after specimen submission to CDC and indicate specimens have been sent to CDC. Specimens are subject to the requirements of the OSPHL Specimen Submission Policy (pdf).
Comments	Please contact the OSPHL with questions at 503-693-4100.
Method Details
Methodology	Methods are provided by the CDC laboratories.
Performance Specifications	Set by reference laboratory.
Change Log
2/19/2025	Updated How to Order and Result Reporting
10/26/2023	New Test Menu Page