Gastrointestinal Profile, Stool, PCR
Also known as: Stool NAAT, Stool PCR
Use
Gastrointestinal disease can be caused by many agents, including bacteria, viruses and parasites. Culture for bacteria will not pick up the viruses or parasites. Tests for parasites will not detect the viruses or the bacteria. This GI profile is a multiplexed nucleic acid test intended for the simultaneous qualitative detection and identification of nucleic acids from multiple bacteria, viruses and parasites directly from stool samples in Cary-Blair transport media obtained from individuals with signs and/or symptoms of gastrointestinal infection.
Special Instructions
Introduce stool into the orange Para-Pak® vial in small amounts to ensure the level does not exceed the fill-line on the label. Cap securely and shake the vial to distribute the sample into the Cary-Blair preservative. Ensure patient information like name, date of birth, date of collection, and time of collection is labeled on the vial.
Limitations
The performance of this test has not been established for patients without signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal illness. Nucleic acids of viruses, bacteria, and parasites might persist in vivo, independent of organism viability, and their detection does not always indicate infectiousness. The results depend heavily on proper sample collection, handling, transportation, storage, and preparation; improper procedures can lead to false-positive or false-negative outcomes.
Methodology
PCR-based (PCR)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 82195-9
- 82196-7
- 82197-5
- 82198-3
- 82199-1
- 82200-7
- 82201-5
- 82202-3
- 80349-4
- 80348-6
- 80351-0
- 82203-1
- 82204-9
- 80350-2
- 82205-6
- 82206-4
- 82207-2
- 82208-0
- 82209-8
- 82210-6
- 82211-4
- 82212-2
- 82213-0
Result Turnaround Time
2-3 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Stool
Volume
Add stool until level in Para-Pak® vial is at fill-line on vial label. Do not over fill.
Minimum Volume
Not provided
Container
Para-Pak® C&S Orange (Cary-Blair)
Collection Instructions
If possible, allow the patient to urinate before collecting the stool specimen to avoid contamination. Use a clean container or plastic wrap to catch stool without mixing with urine or water. Use the spoon attached to the vial cap to transfer the stool, ensuring volume does not exceed the RED fill-line.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate. Room temperature storage and transport up to four days is acceptable.
Causes for Rejection
Specimen vial not received in Cary-Blair preservative medium, leaking specimen vial, specimen older than 96 hours since collection, frozen specimen, rectal swab, underfilled or overfilled container.
Other tests from different labs that may be relevant