Enteric Pathogen Culture, Bacterial
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| Updated | 3/15/2021 (reviewed 4/24/2023)
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| Search Terms | Stool Culture, Bacterial;
Salmonella Culture;
Shigella Culture;
Escherichia coli O157 Culture;
Campylobacter Culture; Gastrointestinal bacteria |
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| How to Order |
On the
General Microbiology Test Request Form (OHA0060), in the “Enterics” section, check the “Enteric Pathogen Culture” box.
If the organism suspected is not listed in "Other Names" on this page, please specify the suspected organism on Form 60.
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| Availability | All clients for public health investigations |
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| Performed | Daily, on regular business days |
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| Time to Reporting | Within 10 working days after receipt of specimen
Preliminary report will be sent upon isolate confirmation, followed by a final report for serotype or species identification. |
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| CPT Code | 87045 - aerobic stool culture, with isolation and preliminary examination,
Salmonella and
Shigella species
87046 - additional pathogens, isolation and presumptive identification of isolates
87077 - additional methods required for definitive identification, each isolate |
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Specimen Collection Details |
| Collection | Within two hours of collection, transfer stool specimen into Cary Blair stool transport system. Specimens must be submitted in Enteric Pathogen Transport (EPT) media (e.g. Cary Blair).
Specimens must be collected prior to initiation of antimicrobials. Rectal swab in EPT media acceptable for specimens from infant patients. To submit specimens for Shiga toxin producing
E. coli (STEC), please visit the
STEC Culture Test Menu Page.
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| Optimal Volume | 5 gm solid stool or 5 ml liquid stool |
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| Minimum Volume | 2 gm solid stool or 5 ml liquid stool |
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| Handling |
Store specimens at room temperatures (20-25°C) for up to 24 hours pending transport.
If stored for more than 24 hours, keep specimens at refrigerated temperatures (2-8°C) pending transport.
Do not freeze, avoid extreme heat. |
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| Transport | Package specimens to maintain room temperatures during transport.
Specimens should be received at the OSPHL within 24 hours of specimen collection but no later than 72 hours after transfer into Cary Blair media. If transporting the specimen more than 24 hours after transfer to Cary Blair media, package specimens to maintain refrigerated temperatures during transport.
Do not collect or transport for receipt at the OSPHL on a state holiday. Sample integrity may be compromised.
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| Rejection Criteria | Rectal swabs with no visible fecal material, specimens mixed with urine, raw stool, specimens submitted in non-EPT, or specimens received at the laboratory more than 4 or more days from specimen collection.
Specimens are subject to the requirements of the OSPHL Specimen Submission Policy and Criteria, available at:
http://bit.ly/SpecimenCriteria. |
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Comments
| Sample integrity may be compromised if received at the OSPHL on a state holiday. Avoid sending samples for receipt at the laboratory on a state holiday.
Upon request and approval from state epidemiologists, samples can also be tested for Vibrio spp., Yersinia spp., Aeromonas spp., and/or Plesiomonas spp.
If viral pathogens are suspected, please follow the instructions for
Viral Gastroenteritis Panel.
Original material submitted for testing is retained for 2 calendar days after receipt at the laboratory.
For additional information or assistance, please contact the OSPHL at 503-693-4100.
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Method Details |
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Methodology |
Standard reference procedures for culture of
Salmonella spp.,
Shigella
spp., Campylobacter
spp. and Shiga toxigenic
Escherichia coli.
Upon request, standard reference procedures are used to test for
Vibrio
spp., Yersinia
spp.,
Aeromonas
spp., and/or
Plesiomonas spp. |
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Performance Specifications | |