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Stool Gram stain
Gram stain of stool; Feces Gram stain
A stool Gram stain is a laboratory test that uses different stains to detect and identify bacteria in a stool sample.
The Gram stain method is sometimes used to quickly diagnose bacterial infections.
How the Test is Performed
You will need to collect a stool sample.
There are many ways to collect the sample.
- You can catch the stool on plastic wrap that is loosely placed over the toilet bowl and held in place by the toilet seat. Then you put the sample in a clean container.
- A test kit is available that supplies a special toilet tissue that you use to collect the sample. After collecting the sample, you put it in a container.
- Do not take stool samples from the water in the toilet bowl. Doing this can cause an inaccurate test result.
Do not mix urine, water, or toilet tissue with the sample.
For children wearing diapers:
- Line the diaper with plastic wrap.
- Position the plastic wrap so that it will prevent urine and stool from mixing. This will provide a better sample.
Your health care provider will give you instructions on when and how to return the sample.
The sample is sent to a laboratory. A small amount is spread in a very thin layer on a glass slide. This is called a smear. A series of special stains are added to the sample. The lab team member looks at the stained smear under the microscope to check for bacteria. The color, size, and shape of the cells help identify the specific bacteria.
How the Test will Feel
A lab smear is painless and does not directly involve the patient.
There is no discomfort when a stool sample is collected at home because it only involves normal bowel functions.
Why the Test is Performed
Your health care provider may order this test to help diagnose an intestinal infection or illness, sometimes involving diarrhea .
Normal Results
A normal result means only normal or "friendly" bacteria were seen on the stained slide. Everyone has friendly bacteria in their intestines.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
An abnormal result means that an intestinal infection may be present. Stool cultures and other tests can also help diagnose the cause of the infection.
Intestinal infection
Bacterial gastroenteritis is present when bacteria cause an infection of the stomach and intestines
Risks
There are no risks.
References
Croft AC, Woods GL. Specimen collection and handling for diagnosis of infectious diseases. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods . 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 63.
DuPont HL. Approach to the patient with suspected enteric infection. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 291.
Giannella RA. Infectious enteritis and proctocolitis and bacterial food poisoning. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease . 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 107.
Salwen MJ, Siddiqi HA, Gress FG, Bowne WB. Laboratory diagnosis of gastrointestinal and pancreatic disorders. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods . 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 22.
Semrad CE. Approach to the patient with diarrhea and malabsorption. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 142.
Review Date: 11/20/2014
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Aria Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
