eSwab or cup without preservatives
Swab or Stool
2 mL
Specification After Draw (Handling and Stability)
Volume: Collect approximately 5 mL (or to the “”Fill”” line indicated on the vial label) of liquid or soft stool. Do not overfill the container.
Mixing: After collection, the specimen must be immediately and thoroughly mixed with the transport medium. Stir the sample with the provided spoon and then tighten the cap and shake the vial firmly until the sample appears homogeneous.
Storage and Transport:
**Room Temperature (Ambient): Stabilized specimens in transport medium are typically stable for up to 4 days at room temperature.
**Refrigerated (2-8°C): Specimens are stable for up to 5 days when refrigerated.
**Frozen: Frozen specimens in transport medium are generally unacceptable and will be rejected.
Timing: The fecal specimen should be placed into the preservative container within a short timeframe (e.g., within 1-2 hours) of production for optimal results.
REFRIGERATED
Collect 2 mL liquid stool or 2 g semiformed stool
Mon-Sat
A day after collection
qPCR
Molecular
RML
Test
Interference
Certain substances can interfere with the PCR test, potentially leading to false-negative results.
Medications/Agents: The patient should avoid the following prior to specimen collection:
*Antibiotics
*Antacids
*Barium (specimen collection should be delayed at least 2 weeks after administration)
*Bismuth
*Anti-malarial agents
*Antidiarrheal medication
*Oily laxatives
Other substances: Contamination with urine, water, residual soap, or disinfectants should be avoided. Excess blood in the specimen may also be a cause for rejection. Bile salts and hemoglobin degradation products present in the stool can act as PCR inhibitors.
Miscellaneous Instruction to Collector
Safety: Standard precautions should be used when handling potentially infectious specimens. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and a gown.
Collection Method: Instruct the patient to collect the stool in a clean, dry bedpan or a collection pan/container placed over the toilet bowl to avoid contact with toilet water or urine.
Sample Selection: When using the collection spoon, sample different areas of the stool, especially any bloody, slimy, or watery areas, as these are more likely to contain pathogens.
Labeling: The container must be properly labeled with the patient’s full name, date of birth (or medical record number), date and time of collection, and specimen type. Incomplete information can delay testing or lead to rejection.
Packaging: Place the sealed specimen container into a secondary leak-proof biohazard bag for transport. The requisition form should be placed in the outside pocket of the biohazard bag to protect it from leakage.
