Stool, Enteric Pathogen Panel

Test Includes

See above

Critical Value

Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter isolated, or Shiga toxin positive

Summary Test Name

Stool, molecular multiplex

Container Microbiology

Sterile container or Cary-Blair transport media

Transport Time

Specimens can be stored for up to 5 days at 2-8 °C or for up to 24 h at 2-25 °C before testing.

Specimen Preparation Outreach

Unpreserved or Cary-Blair transport media

Specimen Stability

Specimens can be stored for up to 5 days at 2-8 °C or for up to 24 h at 2-25 °C before testing.

Minimum Volume

>5 grams (walnut size) or 5 ml of stool

Specimen Transport

Refrigerate or room temperature (2°C - 25°C)

Specimen Tube Type Transport Container Microbiology

Soft to diarrheal stool specimens submitted unpreserved in a sterile container or in Cary-Blair transport media 

Specimen Preparation In House

Specimen must be submitted within 3 days of admission or as outpatient

Test Turnaround Time Routines And Stats

Test run once daily, 7 days a week

Preferred Volume

>5 grams or 5 mls stool

Test Results

Detection of Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp. (C. jejuni and C. coli), Shigella spp. / Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), Shiga toxin 1 (stx1) / Shiga toxin 2 (stx2) genes (found in Shiga toxin-producing E. coli [STEC]) as well as Shigella dysenteriae, which can possess a Shiga toxin gene (stx) that is identical to the stx1 gene of STEC.

Additional Test Information

If not previously ordered, includes Enteric Pathogen Panel for Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp. (C. jejuni and C. coli), Shigella spp. / Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), Shiga toxin 1 (stx1) / Shiga toxin 2 (stx2) genes (found in Shiga toxin-producing E. coli [STEC]) as well as Shigella dysenteriae, which can possess a Shiga toxin gene (stx) that is identical to the stx1 gene of STEC.