Faeces Culture
Clinical Background:
A wide range of bacterial pathogens, viruses and parasites are capable of causing diarrhoea by a number of mechanisms. Diarrhoea may be defined as unusual frequency of bowel action (at least three ...
A wide range of bacterial pathogens, viruses and parasites are capable of causing diarrhoea by a number of mechanisms. Diarrhoea may be defined as unusual frequency of bowel action (at least three times in a 24hr period), passing loose, watery, unformed faeces. It may be associated with symptoms such as abdominal cramps, nausea and malaise, and with vomiting, fever and consequent dehydration. Faecal culture using appropriate selective agrs (based on the clinical information provided) allows detection of bacterial causes of infection diarrhoea.
Read MoreTest Details
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Discipline:
Microbiology
Microbiology
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Specimen Container Adult:
Scoop faeces in to universal container using integrated spoon.
Scoop faeces in to universal container using integrated spoon.
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Specimen Container Paediatric:
Scoop faeces in to universal container using integrated spoon.
Scoop faeces in to universal container using integrated spoon.
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Minimum Volume Adult:
Quarter full (Universal Container)
Quarter full (Universal Container)
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Minimum Volume Paediatric:
Quarter full (Universal Container)
Quarter full (Universal Container)
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Special Requirement:
Send to laboratory as quickly as possible. If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C
Send to laboratory as quickly as possible. If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C
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Sample Stability:
Stable for up to 24 hours
Stable for up to 24 hours
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Transport Requirements:
Standard
Standard
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Add On Test:
Possible up to 3 days
Possible up to 3 days
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Quality Assurance:
UK National External Quality Assurance Scheme (UKNEQAS)
UK National External Quality Assurance Scheme (UKNEQAS)
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Interpretation:
Interpretative comments are added to reports where applicable
Interpretative comments are added to reports where applicable
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Reference Ranges:
N/A
N/A
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Factors Affecting Result:
If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C
If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C
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Referenced Documents:
Standards of Microbiology Investigations (SMI B 30)
Standards of Microbiology Investigations (SMI B 30)