UW Hospital and Clinics Lab Test Directory
| Test Name: |
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Escherichia coli (Shiga) Toxin
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| Test Code(s): |
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STEC / HCSTEC or as part of Stool Culture Procedure Panel (HCSTOCEC)
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| CPT Code(s): |
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87427
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| Methodology: |
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Enzyme Immunoassay
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| Clinical Significance: |
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Qualitative detection of Shiga toxins present in fecal specimens. Should be used as an aid in diagnosis of enterohemorrhagic E. coli infections. Routine ordering with Stool Culture is highly recommended.
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| Days Performed: |
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Mon, Wed, and Fri.
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| Turnaround Time: |
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Stat: Not available stat.
Routine: Up to 3 days.
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Specimen Requirements
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| Specimen: |
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Stool
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| Collection Instructions: |
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Pass stool into a clean, dry bedpan. Do not use toilet paper to collect stool. It may be impregnated with barium salts which may be inhibitory. Transfer stool to Para-Pak Culture & Sensitivity (C&S) kit (orange cap) or sterile screw cap container.
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| Collection Container: |
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Preferred: Para-PakŪ Culture & Sensitivity (C & S) kit (orange cap)
Also Acceptable:
Sterile screw cap container
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| Collection Volume: |
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Preferred: 1 mL
Pediatrics: 1 mL
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| Sample Analyzed: |
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Stool
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| Volume Required: |
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Preferred: 0.3 mL
Pediatrics: 0.3 mL
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| Specimen Transport: |
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Refrigerate specimen and transport specimen to UWHC Microbiology (B4/231) within 48 hours of collection (fresh stool) or 7 days (preserved stool).
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| Unacceptable Criteria: |
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Unrefrigerated fresh stool greater than 48 hours old, unrefrigerated preserved stool specimens greater than 7 days old, and stool collected into O&P Para-pakŪ containers (pink and gray caps) are not acceptable. Specimens on patients hospitalized more than 3 days are not accepted.
LIMIT: One specimen every 24 hours.
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| Stability: |
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Ambient: 2 hours
Refrigerated: 2 days
Frozen: 7 days
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Interpretation
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Expected Results:
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Negative
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| Test Limitations: |
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Toxin level may be below the detection level of the test. Correlation between the amount of toxin in a sample and clinical presentation has not been established.
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| Additional Information: |
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Results should be interpreted by the clinician in conjunction with clinical findings and/or other laboratory results. Optimal results are obtained from specimens tested as soon after collection as possible.
Minimal degradation of toxins occurs in specimens that have been refrigerated for up to 48 hours or frozen at -20 degrees Celsius or lower immediately after collection.
For an Indeterminate result, another specimen should be obtained and retested.
Positive results are called to a health care provider.
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stool culture enteric e coli e. coli
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