Microbiology Collections
Intestinal Tract
| STOOL/FECES Bacterial culture |
|
|---|---|
| Preparation | Fresh stool (acute cases). |
| Type, Number or Volume | At least 1 Tbsp of stool (rectal swab may be used for certain pathogens). |
| Container or Transport Device | Sterile container with tight cover. |
| Technique | If collected in sterile bedpan, do not contaminate with urine, residual soap or disinfectants. |
| Comments | To lab within 1 hour; if delayed, use buffered glycerol-transport medium. |
| Ova and parasites | |
| Preparation | Place fresh stool in kit preservative. Active cases may have only trophozoic forms which die quickly outside the body. |
| Type, Number or Volume | Three specimens over 72 hours are preferred. Submit walnut sized portions of stool where blood and mucus are present. |
| Container or Transport Device | One container contains polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), the other formalin. Specimen should be equally dispersed between both containers. |
| Technique | If collected in sterile bedpan, do not contaminate with urine, residual soap, or disinfectants. |
| Comments | Use formalin and PVA to preserve parasites. |
| Rectal Swab for VRE Screen |
|
| Preparation | - |
| Type, Number or Volume | - |
| Container or Transport Device | Culturette. |
| Technique | Pass swab beyond anal sphincter, carefully rotate. |
| Comments | Not acceptable for ova and parasites, or C. difficile. |
| C difficile toxin; Rotavirus; Viral cultures for enterovirus. | |
| Preparation | Fresh stool. |
| Type, Number or Volume | Only liquid or semi-formed (consistency of pudding) specimen accepted. Do not use preservative. Swabs not acceptable. |
| Container or Transport Device | Sterile container with tight cover. |
| Technique | If collected in sterile bedpan, do not contaminate with urine, residual soap, or disinfectants. |
| Comments | Deliver to laboratory immediately. |