Florida Bureau of Public Health laboratories

Enteric Stool Culture

Anaerobic isolate identification utilizes biochemical testing, MALDI-TOF and/or 16s sequencing to identify organisms.

Analyte(s)

Anaerobic bacteria

Test Code

2400

Testing Location

Jacksonville Laboratory

Testing Department

Microbiology

Pre-approval Required?

No

Required Forms

BPHL Test Requisition, DH1847
(not needed if orders are placed by electronic order)

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Supply Ordering

Supplies may be requested from your servicing laboratory. Supplies ordered from the BPHL should only be used for specimen sent to the BPHL for testing.

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Turn Around time

7-30 business days after receipt at the laboratory

Minimum Volume

Not applicable

Collection Media

Anaerobic transport media such as thioglycollate broth. Specimens must be submitted on media with an anaerobic atmosphere.

Specimen Sources

Any clinically relevant specimen

Specimen Labeling

Specimen must be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers, e.g., name and DOB.

Information on the specimen must match the requisition and/or test order. 

Special SPecimen Preparation

Isolates must be shipped under anaerobic conditions using specific anaerobic transport media or thioglycolate broth in a screw top sealed with parafilm. 

Storage Conditions

Store specimens at 15-30° C until time of shipment. Specimens must arrive at the laboratory within 48 hours after broth inoculation.

Packaging and Shipping

Specimens should be shipped at 15-30° C to arrive at the laboratory within 48 hours after broth inoculation, on appropriate transport medium.

Include paperwork with specimens but separate them physically by placing the paperwork in the outer pocket of the biohazard bag.

unsatisfactory specimen

1. Samples received by the laboratory greater 48 hours after broth inoculation
2. No patient identification on specimen tube
3. Patient identifiers on the specimen do not match the requisition or test order
4. Specimen damaged or leaked in transit

Interferences and Limitations

Non-viable, mixed cultures may not yield reportable results

Reference Range

Negative: no pathogen detected

Result Indicator

Positive: identification of anaerobic bacteria

Negative: no pathogen detected

Reference lab

CDC

Reflex testing

Whole genome sequencing (WGS)