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Bacterial enteric panel, stool (Edmonton/Central/North)
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Test Name:
Bacterial enteric panel, stool (Edmonton/Central/North)
Organism(s)/Disease(s):
Bacterial diarrhea
Camphylobacter coli
Campylobacter jejuni
Enteric parasite pathogen screen
Salmonella species
Shiga toxin producing E. coli O157 & non-O157
Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC)
Shigella species
Body Source(s):
Stool / feces
Clinical Prerequisite(s):
Provisions of  relevant clinical information is important to ensure a clinically relevant result

Where additional testing is clinically indicated (i.e. Vibrio spp., Aeromonas spp., Yersinia spp., Plesiomonas shigelloides and/or other enteric parasites not aforementioned) complete and submit the required Enteric Pathogen Patient History Form, along with the stool specimen

     •  If necessary, completed Enteric Pathogen Patient History Form can be faxed to: 780-453-9425

Stool culture requests for Listeria monocytogenes are not available
Collection Device/Tube Type:
60 mL sterile, plastic container
Comments:
Submission of stool specimen in "Enteric Transport Media" is no longer be acceptable
  •  ALL stool specimen submitted in this media will be rejected

Specimen Requirement(s):

Stool samples from patients having recently used the following products, are not suitable for testing – they interfere with BD Max molecular assay:

·    Nystatin cream

·    Spermicidal lubricant at high concentrations

·    Vagisil at moderate concentrations

To avoid these contaminating substances, thorough cleaning of the perianal area prior to stool collection is strongly recommended 

·    Barium is also known to interfere with stool culture.  Avoid  stool with barium, especially if extended culture is requested

·    Stool from inpatients hospitalized for >3 days are is not recommended for culture.  Consider Clostridiodes difficile toxin testing

·    Do not submit more than 1 stool specimen within a given week

·    Do not submit solid, formed stool

·    Sample the stool from a portion of the specimen displaying mucous or blood, whenever possible

Collection Instructions:

1. Pass urine into toilet prior to collection of stool specimen

·    Stool specimen must NOT come in contact with water or urine

2. Collect the stool specimen in a wide-mouthed container

·    Refer to Patient instructions:  Stool collections for Bacterial Pathogens

3. Fill the 60 mL container  ½ to ¾ full.  Do not overfill
Handling and Storage:
Refrigerate
Handling/Storage Comments:
  • Submit to laboratory as soon as possible after collection
  • Ensure container does not leak and lid is not cross threaded
    • Rejection Criteria:

    ·      Mislabelled or unlabelled specimen or requisition

    ·      Insufficient quantity

    ·      Leaking specimens

    ·      Rectal swabs collected on patients >2 years of age

    ·      Specimens collected in enteric transport media or any type of preservative (10% formalin, MF, SAF, or PVA)

    ·      Previous positive or negative results within the last 7 days – unless there is a Public Health exemption

    ·      Multiple specimens on the same day

    Turnaround Times
    See Microbiology Information»
    Comments:

    ·    All positive stool culture results are reported to the Regional Public Health Office, the ordering physician, and Infection Control when applicable

    ·    Consult the Microbiologist on Call for additional requests:

     Phone:     780-451-3702

     Toll-free: 1-800-661-9876

    Refer to the Laboratory Bulletin:  Change in Testing for Enteric Pathogens (25-March-2019)


    Last Reviewed:
    07 May 2024
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