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GI Pathogen PCR*

Important Note

*This test is orderable in Cerner as GI Pathogen PCR

Specimen Requirements

  • Specimen Type: Stool
  • Container/Tube (Preferred): Orange Top Stool Vial (or must be transferred to an orange top container within one hour of collection).
  • Specimen Volume: 5 grams
  • Specimen Stability: Refrigerated 48 hours in Orange Top Vial
  • Collection Instructions: Submit portion of feces containing pus, blood or mucous

Specimen Transport Temperature

Refrigerated 48 hours

 

Reference Values

Normal Reference Ranges: Negative

Day(s) Performed

Daily

Analytical Time:

Within 24 hours

Performing Laboratory

Rutland Regional Medical Center Laboratory

Methodology

Biofire Torch

Test Classification and CPT Coding

CPT: 87506

LOINC: 79381-0

Additional Testing Information

This is a rapid molecular test for the identification of common community-acquired pathogenic enteric bacteria, viruses and toxins directly from a stool sample.  The Lactoferrin test for presence of WBC will be available if required. 

The GI Pathogen PCR Test will yield results 2-3 days faster than current culture methods.  In addition to significant improvements in turnaround time, molecular testing has also been shown to be up to twice as sensitive as culture methods.

Stool culture will no longer be orderable and will be changed to GI Pathogen PCR Test.

Pathogens and toxins included in the PCR panel:

Campylobacter (C. jejuni/C. coli/C. upsaliensis) PCR
Plesiomonal shigelloides PCR
Salmonella PCR
Yersinia enterocolitica PCR
Vibrio (V. parahaemilyticus/V. vulnificus/ V. cholerae) PCR
Vibrio cholerae PCR
Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) PCR
Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) PCR
Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) it/st PCR
E. Coli 0157 PCR
Shiga-like toxin producing E. coli (STEC) stx1/stx2 PCR
Shigella/Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC)
Cryptosporidium PCR
Cyclospora cayatanensis PCR
Entamoeba histolytica PCR
Giardia lamblia PCR
Adenovirus F40/41 PCR
Astrovirus PCR
Norovirus GI/GII PCR
Rotavirus A PCR
Sapovirus (I, II, IV, and V) PCR

The Stool Lactoferrin Test detects a glycoprotein component of neutrophilic granules in leukocytes.  Testing for fecal Lactoferrin is much more sensitive  than examination for fecal leukocytes because it does not require intact cells for detection.  This test will have to be ordered separately when desired.