Stool culture

A laboratory test that grows microorganisms from a stool sample to identify certain infections. It is used mainly to detect bacterial causes of infectious diarrhea.

Stool specimen collection: The collection of a fecal sample for laboratory testing. A clean, promptly transported sample helps preserve viable organisms for culture.
Salmonella: A genus of bacteria that includes causes of gastroenteritis and enteric fever. Stool culture can recover Salmonella from people with suspected salmonellosis.
Multiplex gastrointestinal pathogen panel: A molecular test that detects genetic material from multiple gastrointestinal pathogens in one sample. Panels can test for more organisms quickly, but may not yield live isolates.
Antibiogram: A summary of antimicrobial susceptibility results for bacterial isolates or a population of bacteria. Susceptibility data from cultured isolates can contribute to local resistance summaries.
Selective medium: A growth medium designed to encourage some microorganisms while inhibiting others. Selective media help recover pathogens amid the many bacteria normally present in stool.
Shigella: A genus of bacteria that causes shigellosis, an infectious disease affecting the intestine. Culture can confirm Shigella and provide an isolate for further testing.
Stool antigen test: A test that detects pathogen proteins in a stool sample. Antigen testing can identify selected infections without growing the organism.
Antibiotic stewardship: Coordinated efforts to use antibiotics appropriately and reduce avoidable harm. Identifying a bacterial cause can support targeted treatment or avoid unnecessary antibiotics.
Differential medium: A culture medium that distinguishes microorganisms by visible differences in their growth or metabolism. Colony appearance and reactions on differential media help distinguish suspected enteric bacteria.
Campylobacter: A genus of bacteria that includes common causes of foodborne gastroenteritis. Special culture conditions may be used when Campylobacter infection is suspected.

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