Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel, Real-Time PCR
Test code
CPT code(s)*
Clinical significance
Test resources
Test summary
Details
Methodology
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Alternative name(s)
Enteric Pathogen Panel,GI Panel,Chronic Diarrhea,Unresolved Diarrhea,Gastroenteritis,Infectious Diarrhea Panel
Specimen requirements | |
|---|---|
| Patient preparation | Patient should not use antacids, barium, bismuth, antibiotics, anti-malarial agents, antidiarrheal medication or oily laxatives prior to specimen collection. After administration of any of these compounds, specimen collection should be delayed for 5 to 10 days or at least two weeks after barium or antibiotics. |
| Preferred specimen(s) | 5 mL liquid or soft stool collected in Cary-Blair stool culture transport medium |
| Collection instructions | Avoid contamination of stool specimen with urine or water. Specimens are best collected in a bedpan or a clean dry container. A suitable area (i.e., bloody, slimy, watery) from the sides, ends and middle of the stool should be selected using the collection spoon provided. Fill with sufficient stool to bring the liquid level up to the "Fill" line. This will result in approximately 5 mL of sample. Stir each specimen with the spoon provided, tighten the cap and shake firmly until the specimen is adequately mixed. When mixing is complete, the specimen should appear uniform. Complete the label on the vial and place the vial in the plastic bag. Transport the specimen to the laboratory. |
| Transport container | Cary-Blair stool culture transport medium |
| Transport temperature | Room temperature |
| Specimen stability | Room temperature: 4 days Refrigerated: 5 days Frozen: Unacceptable |
| Reject criteria | Stool in Cary-Blair stool culture transport medium not filled to the pre-marked "Fill" line • Unpreserved (raw) stool at any temperature • Stool in non-Cary-Blair stool culture transport medium • Frozen specimens in Cary-Blair stool culture transport medium |
Reference Range(s)
| Campylobacter Group | Not detected |
| Salmonella Species | Not detected |
| Shigella Species | Not detected |
| Vibrio Group | Not detected |
| Yersinia enterocolitica | Not detected |
| Shiga toxin 1 | Not detected |
| Shiga toxin 2 | Not detected |
| Norovirus GI/GII | Not detected |
| Rotavirus A | Not detected |
Reference ranges are provided as general guidance only. To interpret test results use the reference range in the laboratory report.
*The CPT codes provided are based on AMA guidance and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payer being billed.
This material contains content from LOINC® (http://loinc.org). The LOINC Table, LOINC Table Core are copyright © 1995-2019, Regenstrief Institute, Inc. and the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Committee and is available at no cost under the license at http://loinc.org/license.
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