Screw cap plastic container (non sterile)

Stool specimen collection

Collect one specimen per day

Screw cap plastic container (non sterile)

Refrigerated - 24 hours

Ambient - <1 hour

• Improper label (unlabeled or mislabeled)
• Time delay between time of collection and receipt of specimen
• Inappropriate timing of collection
• Improper transport container
• Improper transport temperature
• Interfering substances
• Inappropriate specimen type
• Leaking container
• Specimens collected within 72 hour after a barium enema or a barium swallow

Gram stain and microscopic examination

The presence of leukocytes (WBCs) in stool provides results of little clinical value. Their presence generally results from infection or inflammation of the intestinal wall. Normal stools generally do not contain leukocytes. Fecal leukocytes are present in ulcerative colitis, bacillary dysentery, ulcerative diverticulitis, intestinal tuberculosis, and abscesses or fistulas.

This test is not recommended for use with patients who have acute infectious diarrhea.