Florida Bureau of Public Health laboratories
Enteric Stool Culture
Stool clinical specimens are inoculated and identified by MALDI-TOF.
Analyte(s)
Stool pathogens
Test Code
2600
Testing Location
Testing Department
Microbiology
Pre-approval Required?
No
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
5 business days after receipt at the laboratory
Minimum Volume
Fill within fill line (15 mL)
Collection Media
Sterile transport system. Swab or material in a sterile transport system
Specimen Sources
Any clinical specimen swab except anaerobe, stool, or throat swabs.
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
None.
Storage Conditions
Store specimens at 15 – 30o C until time of shipment. Specimens must arrive at the laboratory within 4 days of collection.
Packaging and Shipping
Specimens should be shipped at 15 – 30o C to arrive at the laboratory within 4 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) Specimens received greater than 4 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
Interferences and Limitations
Non-viable, mixed cultures may not yield reportable results
Reference Range
Negative: No pathogen detected
Result Indicator
Positive: Isolation in culture and organism ID after culture
Negative: No pathogen detected
Reference lab
CDC
Reflex testing
Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)