Enteric Bacterial Panel by PCR
Test Mnemonic
STLPCR
CPT Codes
- 87505 - QTY (1)
Aliases
- Campylobacter
- Salmonella
- Shigella
- STEC
- STLPCR
- Campylobacter jejuni
- Enteroinvasive E. coli
- Shiga toxin-producing gene
- STOOL PCR
Performing Laboratory
Cleveland Clinic Laboratories
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One | Stool | Cary-Blair kit | Ambient | Ambient | Protect against freezing or exposure to excessive heat |
Alternate Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One | Stool | Sterile container | Ambient | Ambient | Protect against freezing or exposure to excessive heat |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | Specimens in Cary-Blair transport media or unpreserved stool in a sterile container can be stored up to 5 days at 2-8 degrees Celsius before testing. |
| Ambient | Specimens in Cary-Blair transport media or unpreserved stool in a sterile container can be stored up to 24 hours at 2-25 degrees Celsius before testing. |
| Frozen | Specimens in Cary-Blair transport media or unpreserved stool in a sterile container cannot be frozen. Specimens received frozen will be rejected. |
Days Performed
7 days a week
Turnaround Time
1 - 3 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Qualitative Polymerase Chain Reaction |
Reference Range
Special Info
This assay is highly sensitive and specific for the detection of enteric bacterial pathogens in stool specimens. Repeat testing within 7 days for the same episode of symptoms is not indicated and will be cancelled. This test should not be used for test of cure. Rectal swabs, stool received in any transport media other than Cary-Blair, or stool received frozen will be rejected. Specimens positive for Shigella spp. or Salmonella spp will be reflexed to culture to allow susceptibility testing and/or epidemiologic investigation to be performed if indicated. Salmonella isolates and specimens positive for shiga-toxin genes will be submitted to ODH laboratory for further characterization.
Clinical Info
This PCR assay replaces routine stool culture by detecting Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Campylobacter jejuni/coli, and shiga-toxin (stx1 and stx2) genes. Stool specimens from symptomatic patients with suspected acute gastroenteritis, enteritis or colitis should be submitted. Cultures to detect Vibrio (VIBCUL), Yersinia (YERCUL), and Aeromonas/Plesiomonas (AERPLE) are available as separate test orders.