Test Detail

Enteric Pathogen Culture Panel and Norovirus PCR

Panel Components
Test Description		Contact: Reference Microbiology (319) 335-4335, Molecular Biology and Virology (319) 335-4376 Test Request Form: Iowa HHS Epidemiological Investigation Test Request Form. Contact Iowa HHS CADE at (515) 242-5935 (business hours) or (515) 323-4360 (non-business hours) for form. SHL OpenELIS Code: 575, 913, 931
Stool culture panel to evaluate for suspected bacterial diarrhea and nucleic acid amplification by PCR to detect Norovirus RNA.
Stool cuture includes Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, E. coli O157, Yersinia, Aeromonas; Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) stx DNA Screen; Norovirus PCR.
Reflex Test(s)
Bacterial Identification by MALDI-TOF Spectrometry, Reference Bacteriology by Bacterial Culture, Enteric Pathogen Identification/Serotyping by Next Generation Sequencing, E.coli O157 and Other STEC by Bacterial Culture, (Organism Extraction by Next Generation Sequencing: results not reported to facility)
Performed	Avg. Turnaround Time	Method
Coralville, M - F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. - noon	2 - 5 business days	Bacterial Culture, Nucleic Acid Amplification by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Fee	CPT Code(s)
No charge. Prior approval by an Iowa Health and Human Services epidemiologist must be obtained.	87045, 87046 x 4, 87798 x 2 (87798 x 2)
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type:	Stool specimen in enteric transport media (Cary-Blair).
Patient Preparation:	The patient should be instructed not to take any antacids, oily laxatives, or anti-diarrheal medications unless prescribed by the physician.
Collection Instructions:	Use an Enteric Transport Media (Cary-Blair) Vial, clearly labeled with two unique identifiers (patient's name and unique identifier) and the date of collection. ETM is buffered and normally appears red. If the liquid is yellow, an acidic shift has occurred and the vial should not be used. Pass the stool into a clean, dry, plastic disposable container or place a large plastic bag or kitchen wrap over the toilet seat to catch the specimen. DO NOT MIX URINE OR WATER WITH THE STOOL SPECIMEN. Formed or semi-formed stool: Using the spork built into the lid, add approximately three spoonfuls of firm stool, or five spoonfuls of soft stool to the vial until the liquid reaches the red "fill line". Any blood or mucous should be included. Liquid stool: Pour the stool into the vial up to the red fill line. Tighten the vial cap completely. A leaking specimen may be unsuitable for testing. Clean the outside of the vial with rubbing alcohol or soap and water if they are soiled. Make sure the patient name and date of collection are still readable. Wrap the specimen in absorbent material and place into a biohazard bag. Wash hands thoroughly.
Temperature and Stability:	Refrigerated (2-8°C); stable for 96 hours.
Unacceptable Conditions:	Rectal swabs; samples mixed with urine or water; Leaking containers; Frozen samples. Unpreserved stool, insufficient or overfilled transport media (Carey-Blair), > 4 days if refrigerated. ETM samples that have turned yellow.
Expected Results:
Enteric Culture: No Enteric Pathogens Found, Enteric pathogen identification. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) stx DNA Screen (stx1, stx2): Detected, Not Detected, Indeterminate, Equivocal. Norovirus Genotype I: Detected, Not Detected, Indeterminate. Norovirus Genotype II: Detected, Not Detected, Indeterminate.
Shipping:
Wrap specimen container in absorbent material and place inside a biohazard bag. Place the bag into the styrofoam container, then into the cardboard mailer provided by SHL. Transport to the laboratory. Ship to the Coralville location.
Comments
Presence of Norovirus RNA is indicative of norovirus infection.
Alternate Names
Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter culture, Stool culture, Norwalk virus, Norwalk-like virus, Human Calicivirus