Fecal Culture
Synonyms
Culture Stool Comprehensive, Enteric Pathogens Culture Routine, Feces Culture Routine, Routine Culture Stool, Fecal Culture, Stool Culture Test
Purpose
The Fecal Culture Test detects bacterial pathogens in stool samples, including Salmonella, Shigella, and E. coli, which can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain.
This test isolates the particular bacteria causing symptoms, which is particularly helpful when patients show indications of infection.
When bleeding is a concern, the Routine Culture Stool can be coupled with the Fecal Occult Blood Test to detect concealed blood that bacterial infections could cause.
Furthermore, if gastritis or ulcers are suspected, the H. pylori Antigen Test can be used with the stool culture to rule out H. pylori infection as a probable cause of gastrointestinal inflammation and bleeding.
Patient Preparation
No special preparations are required.
Samples for a Fecal Culture
1g/1 ml stool or rectal swab collected in a stool culture transport vial Culture collection swab placed in a vial. To increase the chances of isolating a bacterial pathogen, collect two or three stool samples on different days. preservative should be present in the container.
Transport the specimen to the laboratory immediately. If you delay transport by more than 2 hours, use transport media such as Cary-Blair. Store the specimen at room temperature.
Reference Range
Negative for enteric pathogens.
Results Turnaround
3 – 5 days after receipt of samples.
Diseases / Diagnostic Indicators of Enteric Pathogens
The Fecal Culture Test is critical in identifying pathogenic microorganisms that cause gastrointestinal illnesses. Stool samples containing organisms like Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, or Yersinia may indicate several serious illnesses.
For example, a Salmonella infection can cause gastroenteritis, characterized by fever, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea. Shigella can produce bacillary dysentery, which manifests as severe diarrhea that frequently contains mucus and blood.
Stool cultures must accurately identify enteric infections for efficient diagnosis, treatment, and outbreak control. This study on enteric infections provides more in-depth details on enteric pathogens and the disorders they cause.