Stool samples are to be collected in C.B. Media & examined under microscope.
By culture on TCBS (Thiosulfate – Citrate – Bile salts – Sucrose) media for bacterial growth.
Collection and Transport of Stool Samples
- Collect the stool sample before the patient receives antibiotics.
- Use a clean cotton tipped swab and introduce well into the rectum. The swab will become moist and may be faecally stained.
- Alternatively, collect freshly passed liquid stool in a bottle or a cotton tipped swab.
- Send the sample to the laboratory in a tightly sealed screw capped sterile bottle if the sample can reach the laboratory within two hours.
- Send the sample to the laboratory in a tightly sealed screw capped sterile bottle with Cary–Blair transport medium (or VR medium or Alkaline Peptone Water) if it will take more than two hours to reach the laboratory.
- If transport medium is not available, soak strips of blotting paper with liquid stool. Send these to the laboratory in carefully sealed plastic bag to prevent drying.
- Send the samples using a cold chain.
- Bottles or plastic bags should be placed in separate plastic bags each to prevent leakage of the potentially contaminated material.
- Each sample should be labelled. Detailed information should be sent for each sample.
