Florida Bureau of Public Health laboratories
Enteric Stool Culture
Complete identification of Salmonella requires cultural isolation, biochemical characterization, and serotyping. BPHL performs the purification of all isolates and molecular identification by Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS).
Analyte(s)
Salmonella sp.
Test Code
2000
Testing Location
Testing Department
Microbiology
Pre-approval Required?
No
Traditional serogrouping and typing performed only upon request from Bureau of Epidemiology. Contact the local county health department (CHD) to start the process for approval.
Required Forms
BPHL Test Requisition, DH1847
(not needed if orders are placed by electronic order)
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.
Turn Around time
7 – 14 business days after receipt at the laboratory
Minimum Volume
Fill within fill line (15 mL)
Collection Media
Cary Blair for stool cultures.
Nutrient agar slant or other appropriate slanted tube media for isolates.
Specimen Sources
Stool or Salmonella sp. isolates.
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.Â
Special SPecimen Preparation
Pure isolates of Salmonella received from hospital laboratories or branch laboratories within 24-48 hours of isolation.
Stool specimens will be processed through the Enteric bench to determine isolation of Salmonella. All Salmonella sp. isolates are shipped to Jacksonville and will undergo serotyping by WGS.
Duplicate samples sent within 6 months will not be tested.
Storage Conditions
Store specimens at 2 – 8o C, OR 15 – 30o C until time of shipment. Specimens must arrive at the laboratory within 10 days of collection.
Packaging and Shipping
Specimens should be shipped at 2 – 8o C, OR 15 – 30o C to arrive at the laboratory within 10 days of collection 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) Stool specimens received greater than 10 days after collection
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
5) Duplicate isolate received within 6 months of previous submission
6) Specimen was received outside the required temperature range
Interferences and Limitations
Non-viable, mixed cultures may not yield reportable results
Reference Range
Negative: Not detected
Result Indicator
Positive: serotyping determined by WGS
Negative: Not detected
Reference lab
CDC
Reflex testing
Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)