Name of the Procedure:

Culture, bacterial; stool, aerobic, with isolation and preliminary examination (eg, KIA, LIA), Salmonella and Shigella species

Summary

A stool culture for bacteria is a test carried out to detect and identify bacteria in the stool that may be causing gastrointestinal infections, specifically targeting Salmonella and Shigella species.

Purpose

This test helps diagnose bacterial infections in the digestive tract. The goal is to identify the specific bacteria causing illness so that appropriate treatment can be administered.

Indications

• Severe or persistent diarrhea
• Bloody stool
• Fever
• Abdominal pain
• Recent travel to areas with known bacterial outbreaks

Preparation

• No specific preparation is generally required.
• Patients may be advised to avoid certain foods or medications that could affect the results.

Procedure Description

1. Collection of a stool sample from the patient.
2. The sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis.
3. In the lab, the stool is cultured in conditions that promote the growth of aerobic bacteria.
4. Preliminary tests (e.g., Kligler Iron Agar (KIA), Lysine Iron Agar (LIA)) are performed to isolate and identify Salmonella and Shigella species.

Duration

The procedure for collecting the stool sample takes a few minutes. Laboratory analysis can take 2-3 days.

Setting

Stool sample collection can be done at home or in a clinic. Laboratory analysis is performed in a specialized microbiological lab.

Personnel

• Patient or healthcare provider for sample collection
• Laboratory technicians and microbiologists for sample analysis

Risks and Complications

• Minimal to no risks associated with stool sample collection.
• Rare risk of inaccurate results if the sample is contaminated.

Benefits

• Accurate identification of bacterial pathogens causing gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Enables targeted antibiotic treatment, leading to quicker recovery.

Recovery

• No recovery needed for sample collection.
• Follow-up will depend on test results and subsequent treatment.

Alternatives

• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests for faster results but may be more costly.
• Antigen tests that provide rapid results but may be less comprehensive.

Patient Experience

During collection, patients might experience slight discomfort or embarrassment. No pain is involved. Post-collection, lab analysis does not affect the patient directly.