Salmonella culture

TEST DESCRIPTION

Culture of stool and subsequent evaluation for the presence of Salmonella species. Culture may be performed for either diagnostic purposes or as a test of clearance. 

Bacterial growth on selective media is documented and suspicious organisms are identified to confirm the presence of Salmonella. If a pathogen is identified, serotyping or other reference level testing may be performed for surveillance purposes.

Methodology

Solid media culture and enrichment

Reference range

Diagnostic: No Salmonella isolated

Clearance: No Salmonella recovered

TEST FREQUENCY & RESULT AVAILABILITY

Performed daily. Results are typically available within 4 days after specimen receipt.

ACCEPTABLE SPECIMEN TYPES AND COLLECTION

• Preferred: Stool in Cary Blair medium, consisting of walnut-sized (ping pong ball) amount reaching the red fill line of the vial.
• Stool in a sterile container: walnut-sized (ping pong ball) amount.
  1. Time restrictions apply. 
• Detailed collection instructions appear below

SPECIMEN STORAGE & TRANSPORT

Stool in Cary Blair Medium: Store and transport refrigerated or at room temperature (2–25 °C/36–77 °F) for up to 4 days.

Stool in a sterile container: Store and transport refrigerated (2–8 °C/36–46 °F) for up to 2 hours.

REJECTION CRITERIA

• Holding time greater than 4 days if in Cary Blair medium
• Holding time greater than 2 hours if in sterile container
• Specimen container not labeled 
• Specimen container has leaked or is not sealed properly 
• Sample volume is not at the red fill line on the container for Cary Blair medium

CODES

CPT: 87045

LOINC: 625-4

Test code: 2220

TEST FEE

Refer to the current fee schedule.

DETAILED SPECIMEN COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS: Stool culture

For best results, stool specimens should be obtained during the acute phase of illness.

1. Lift the toilet seat and place the white stool collection device at the rear of the toilet bowl; lower the seat.
2. Pass the stool into the white stool collection device.
3. Collect stool from areas that appear bloody, slimy, or watery. If firm, collect from both ends and middle. 
   1. Using the scoop built into the cap, transfer enough stool to the vial to reach the red fill line, do not overfill.
   2. Mix the vial contents with the scoop; carefully tighten the cap and shake until contents are well mixed.
   3. Label the vial (name, collection date/time) and place inside the inner specimen bag and seal tightly.
4. Place the bagged yellow vial inside the zippered portion of the biohazard specimen bag and seal tightly. 
5. Fill out the requisition form completely. Fold it in half once and place in the outer pocket of the biohazard specimen bag (not inside the zippered pouch with the specimen).
6. Transport at room or refrigerated temperature to the laboratory within 4 days of collection.