Stool culture

What it measures

Grows enteric bacterial pathogens from stool in patients with dysentery, prolonged or bloody diarrhoea or suspected outbreaks.

Specimen and preparation

• Specimen: Fresh stool or rectal swab in Cary-Blair medium
• Tube: Stool top
• Preparation: Collect before antibiotics; send within 2 hours or use transport medium.

Reference range

Reference ranges differ between laboratories, methods and populations. Always use the range printed on your own lab report.

Causes of high values

• Salmonella, Shigella
• Campylobacter
• Vibrio cholerae
• Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (critical in children)

Method

Selective media (MacConkey, XLD, SS, TCBS, Campylobacter agar), identification and AST; multiplex PCR panels

Good to know

Avoid antibiotics in suspected STEC because of the risk of hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Related tests