Fecal culture

A fecal culture is a lab test to find organisms in the stool (feces) that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and disease.

How the Test is Performed

A stool sample is needed.

There are many ways to collect the sample.

You can collect the sample:

• On plastic wrap. Place the wrap loosely over the toilet bowl so that it is held in place by the toilet seat. Put the sample in a clean container given to you by your health care provider.
• In a test kit that supplies a special toilet tissue. Put it in a clean container given to you by your provider.

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.

Return the sample to the laboratory as soon as possible. Do not include toilet paper or urine in the specimen.

In the lab, a technician places a sample of the specimen in a special dish. The dish is then filled with a gel that boosts the growth of bacteria or other germs. If there is growth, the germs are identified. The lab technician may also do more tests to determine the best treatment.

How to Prepare for the Test

You will get a collection container for the stool specimen.

How the Test will Feel

There is no discomfort.

Why the Test is Performed

The test is performed when your health care provider suspects that you may have a gastrointestinal infection. It may be done if you have severe diarrhea that does not go away or that keeps coming back.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.

Image

 

Read Article Now Book Mark Article

Normal Results

There are no abnormal bacteria or other organisms in the sample.

Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal results may mean you have an intestinal infection .

Intestinal infection

Bacterial gastroenteritis is present when bacteria cause an infection of the stomach and intestines

Image

 

Read Article Now Book Mark Article

Risks

There are no risks.

Considerations

Often other stool tests are done in addition to the culture, such as:

• Gram stain of stool

  Gram stain of stool

  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 someti...

   

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article
• Fecal smear

  Fecal smear

  Fecal smear is a laboratory test to for a stool sample. This test is done to check for bacteria and other organisms. Presence of organisms in stool...

  

  Image

   

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article
• Stool ova and parasites exam

  Stool ova and parasites exam

  Stool ova and parasites exam is a lab test to look for parasites or eggs (ova) in a stool sample. The parasites are associated with intestinal infec...

  

  Image

   

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article