Stool Culture and Sensitivity Test
Synonyms
Enteric Pathogens Culture, Feces Culture, Routine Culture, Stool Culture and Sensitivity Test
Purpose
A Stool Culture and Sensitivity Test detects bacterial, viral, or parasite diseases in the GI tract. Healthcare providers frequently prescribe it when patients show symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, or fever, indicating infections such as salmonella, Shigella, or Clostridioides difficile. Doctors use stool cultures to identify gastrointestinal illnesses and guide targeted antibiotic therapy.
A stool culture is frequently performed with a rectal swab to test for enteric pathogens, particularly when diagnosing gastrointestinal diseases caused by numerous bacteria. Together, they provide a comprehensive assessment of the infection.
Severe gastrointestinal infections can occasionally cause intestinal bacteria to enter the bloodstream, resulting in sepsis, a potentially fatal systemic reaction to infection, or bacteremia.
Performing a blood culture with a stool culture can help confirm the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream, showing that the infection has progressed beyond the digestive tract.
Patient Preparation
No special preparations are required.
Samples for a Stool Culture and Sensitivity Test
Collect 1g or 1 ml stool in a stool culture transport vial. Collect two or three stool specimens on separate days to increase the probability of isolating a bacterial pathogen. No detergent or preservative should be present in the container. Transport the specimen to the laboratory immediately after collection. If transport delays by 2 hours, use transport media such as Cary-Blair and store it at room temperature.
Reference Range
Negative for enteric pathogens.
Results Turnaround
3 – 5 days after receipt of samples.
Diseases / Diagnostic Indicators
The Stool Culture test detects bacterial pathogens in the gastrointestinal system, especially in suspected foodborne or enteric diseases. Bacterial growth, such as Salmonella, Shigella, or other enteric pathogens, could suggest typhoid, enteric, bacillary dysentery, or Salmonella gastroenteritis. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, and, in extreme situations, dehydration are common signs of these illnesses.
Detection is essential since some of these viruses can cause serious sickness or consequences if left untreated. For instance, if Salmonella typhi-caused typhoid fever spreads outside the intestines, it might become fatal. In addition to aiding in diagnosis confirmation, stool cultures help determine the best course of antibiotic treatment to manage and stop the spread.
For further information on stool cultures and associated pathogens, see this study on stool culture diagnostics.