Shigella Culture, Stool (Sendout)

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General Information

Lab Name
Lab Code
1166
External Test Id
SHIGC
Description

Useful For:

  • Determining whether Shigella species may be the cause of diarrhea
  • Reflexive testing for Shigella species from nucleic acid amplification test-positive stool
  • This test is generally not useful for patients hospitalized more than 3 days because the yield from specimens from these patients is very low, as is the likelihood of identifying a pathogen that has not been detected previously.

Test Highlights:

  • This test provides evidence of the presence of the bacterium, Shigella species, in feces, in a viable state, and provides an isolate for antibacterial susceptibility testing and, if needed, submission to a health department.
  • Minnesota healthcare professionals are required to report all confirmed or suspected cases of shigellosis to the Minnesota Department of Health. Mayo Clinic Laboratories clients should refer to their local health departments regarding public health submission of Shigella isolates.
  • If susceptibility testing is needed, also order ZMMLS/Antimicrobial Susceptibility, Aerobic Bacteria.

Test Algorithm: For positive orders, reflex testing may be performed at additional charge.

Patient Preparation: The patient should avoid the use of antacids, barium, bismuth, antidiarrheal medication, or oily laxatives prior to specimen collection.

Ordering Requirements:

  • Pre-approved for The Vancouver Clinic (TVC) only. Orders from all other locations require approval from the Laboratory Medicine Resident (LMR) on-call. The recommended test for UW Medicine patients is Enteric Pathogen Panel [STOEPM].
References
Synonyms
SHIGC, T058
Components

Interpretation

Guidelines
Method

Conventional Culture

Reference Range
Ref. Range Notes
Reference Value: No growth of Shigella species.

Interpretation: The growth of Shigella species identifies a potential cause of diarrhea.

Interferences and Limitations

Cautions:

The yield of Shigella species is reduced when specimens are delayed in transit to the laboratory (>2 hours from collection for unpreserved specimens).

Check local public health requirements, which may require submission of isolates to a public health laboratory.

References

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type
Stool
Collection

Acceptable Collection Containers:

  • Mayo Culture and Sensitivity Stool Transport Vial (T058)
  • Commercially available transport system specific for recovery of enteric pathogens from fecal specimens with 15 mL of non-nutritive transport medium containing phenol red as a pH indicator, either Cary-Blair or Para-Pak Culture and Sensitivity Media

Collection Instructions:

  1. Collect fresh stool and submit 1 gram or 5 mL in container with transport medium (see acceptable containers above).
  2. Place stool in preservative within 2 hours of collection.
  3. Place vial in a sealed plastic bag and transport to the lab.

Reject Due To: Unpreserved feces, ECOFIX preservative, Formalin or PVA fixative.

Approval Required
Pre-approved for The Vancouver Clinic (TVC) only. Orders from all other locations require approval from the Laboratory Medicine Resident (LMR) on-call.
Handling Instructions

Vancouver Clinic (TVC):

  • Store and transport preserved stool at ambient temperature.
  • If susceptibility testing is required, request both SHIGC and ZMMLS.
  • Expedite transport to the lab. Samples must arrive at Mayo Clinic Labs within 96 hours of collection.

Stability: Ambient (preferred): 4 days; Refrigerated: 4 days; Frozen: Unacceptable.

Quantity
Requested: 1 gram or 5 mL stool
Minimum: 1 gram or 5 mL stool

Processing

Receiving Instructions

Fresh stool must be transferred to appropriate preservative within 2 hours of collection. Store and transport preserved stool specimens at ambient temperature.

Login: SPMSND-;AMBIENT STOOL

  • MSNDTO: MAYO
  • MSPTYP: STL
  • MTSTRQ: ;Shigella Culture, Stool (Mayo Test SHIGC)

Sendouts:

  • Order Mayo Test: SHIGC
  • If susceptibility testing is also requested, add test ZMMLS to the same order.
  • Expedite transport. Specimens must arrive at Mayo Clinic Labs within 96 hours of collection.

Stability: Ambient (preferred): 4 days; Refrigerated: 4 days; Frozen: Unacceptable.

Reject Due To: Unpreserved feces, ECOFIX preservative, Formalin or PVA fixative.

Misc Sendout

Performance

Lab Department
Frequency
Performed: Monday through Friday. Reported: 3 to 5 days from sample receipt at Mayo Clinic Labs.
Available STAT?
No
Performing Location(s)
Sendout Mayo Clinic Laboratories
800-533-1710

200 First Street Southwest
Rochester, MN 55901

Billing & Coding

Billing Comments

CPT: 87046-Shigella Culture, Stool-with isolation and preliminary examination

Potential Reflex CPTs, if appropriate:

  • 87077-Bacteria Identification
  • 87153-Aerobe Ident by Sequencing
  • 87077-Additional Identification Procedure
  • 87147 x 4-Serologic Agglut Method 3 Ident
  • 87077-Ident by MALDI-TOF mass spec