Stool Culture Test

A stool culture is a laboratory test used to detect and identify bacteria in a sample of feces. The test is used to diagnose infections of the gastrointestinal tract and to determine the cause of diarrhea and other symptoms.

Pre-test preparation:
Avoid eating high-fiber foods for 24 hours before the test.
Avoid taking antibiotics for at least 2 weeks before the test.
Avoid taking laxatives or enemas for 24 hours before the test.

Testing method:
A fresh stool sample is collected in a clean container, labeled with the patient’s name and date of birth and sent to the laboratory. In the laboratory, the sample is mixed with a liquid growth medium and plated on a solid agar medium. The plates are incubated at a specific temperature and humidity to allow bacteria to grow. After a period of time, usually 24 to 48 hours, the plates are examined to identify the types of bacteria present in the stool sample.

Common symptoms for prescribing this test: Stool culture is usually ordered when a patient has symptoms of a gastrointestinal infection such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever.

Diagnosis: Based on the types of bacteria present in the stool sample, the lab technician can diagnose an infection caused by bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, Shigella, Campylobacter and others. Additionally, the lab technician can also determine antibiotic susceptibility of the bacteria.

Reference range: Negative for pathogenic bacteria

Normal values: Negative for pathogenic bacteria

It is important to note that a stool culture is not a definitive test for gastrointestinal infections and other tests may be needed to confirm the diagnosis. In addition, The results of the test should be considered along with the patient’s clinical presentation and other laboratory test results to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.