Stool Sample Culture Test

General information:

Microbiological in-depth research to identify the causative agents of various intestinal infectious diseases and dysbacteriosis. They are isolated on special nutrient media, various tests are conducted to determine the exact microorganism and to assist the clinician in the treatment of the patient.
The main part of intestinal infections are caused by viruses, which cannot be isolated by classical microbiological methods. They are common diseases in young children, working groups and become more frequent during the summer season. Bacterial infection is suspected if the temperature lasts more than 3 days, deterioration of the condition, new symptoms (presence of blood, tenesmus). In these cases, a consultation with your doctor is necessary, who will prescribe additional diagnostics of demanding microorganisms (intestinal viruses, protozoa, helminths, Campylobacter, Yersinia, Clostridium difficile, etc.).

Feces are examined for Salmonella, Shigella spp., for pathogenic E.coli, included in groups I, II and III. All diagnostic samples are also tested for the presence of Candida spp. and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms, which in certain cases (dysbacteriosis, chemotherapy) can be the cause of symptoms in patients.
If necessary and desired by the patient / attending physician, an antibiogram is applied to the microorganism.
Attention: some pathogens have special requirements for cultivation conditions and media (Yersinia, Listeria, Campylobacter, Clostridium) and are not included in the standard intestinal examination! For them, the laboratory offers other ways of identification.

Diarogenic diseases are the second cause of death in children under 5 years of age (after rotaviruses) worldwide, approximately 1.3 million deaths per year. Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), one of the groups of pathogenic diarrheal colitis, are one of the most important pathogens in childhood. They lead to significant morbidity, both in hospital and in community-acquired (ambulatory) cases. In recent years, their great role in chronic diarrhea and long-term disturbances in the motility of the gastrointestinal tract has been established (EPEC, ETEC, EAEC are found in 30-40% of cases). . The main reservoir of infection is man. The mechanism of transmission of the infection is fecal-oral. Colibacteria have great resistance in the external environment. The incubation period is from 1-21 days. Vomiting, refusal of food, expressed restlessness are characteristic manifestations of the disease.

Diarrhea increases to 10-15 bowel movements per day. Treatment is in a hospital setting and is long-term, especially in severe cases
In a natural way, E. coli is released into the external environment - water, soil and others, where its establishment is used as a sanitary microbiological indicator. In addition, E. coli can enter other organs and systems and provoke inflammatory processes, causing sporadic or epidemic-related diseases.
The mild onset can quickly develop into a serious illness, and self-medication can lead to later complications, as well as to the spread of the infection. The source of infection is people - sick and healthy carriers. It is the infectious agents that are a serious problem, due to the fact that they do not have acute complaints, fever or diarrhea, but spread the infection to others (especially children's groups, where there are shared utensils, towels and close contact). Therefore, the examination is mandatory when the children are admitted to childcare facilities (nurseries, kindergartens, homes).

*Please note: The examination takes an average of 3 days, in chronic cases it is desirable to examine 2 or 3 portions of feces, because the causative agents are released periodically and in different amounts, i.e. the causative agent is not located in every portion of faeces. Do not add other substances to the sample.
In the event of a positive result for E.coli diarrheal serotypes, Salmonella, Shigella, the laboratories are obliged to notify the person's personal physician and epidemiology-RHI (according to Regulation 21 on reporting of infectious diseases).

Patients with a positive result are assigned treatment and a dietary-hygienic regimen until the causative agent is removed and 3 consecutive control samples are given.
For parents: children are admitted to kindergarten with a negative result for intestinal pathogens and parasites.

Sample required:

Feces

Feces are given after spontaneous or induced defecation into a sterile fecal container. It contains a plastic scoop, which is used to take a pea-sized amount for testing, preferably from 2-3 places on the sample. Urine and blood should not enter the fecal sample!

The amount of faeces is 3-5 g/the size of a pea, in the case of liquid faecal masses it is 2-3 ml. A hygienic toilet of the anal area is performed in advance.
In infants, the fecal sample can be taken from the diapers. The presence of mucus is not a contraindication for taking material.
In case of complaints, it is recommended to give 2-3 consecutive samples, because not every portion of faeces can isolate the causative agent.

Key words:

Faeces, microorganism, infection