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HelpTest Code E157C Escherichia coli O157:H7 Culture, Feces
Additional Testing Requirements
In some cases, local public health requirements may impact Mayo Clinic Laboratories clients, requiring, for example, submission of isolates to public health laboratories. Clients should familiarize themselves with local requirements and are responsible for submitting isolates to appropriate public health laboratories. Clients can obtain isolates of Escherichia coli O157:H7 species recovered from specimens submitted to Mayo Clinic Laboratories by calling 800-533-1710 as soon as possible after reporting (to ensure viability of the bacterium).
Shipping Instructions
Specimen must arrive within 96 hours of collection.
Necessary Information
Specimen source is required.
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation: Patient should not use barium or bismuth for 7 to 10 days before specimen collection.
Supplies: Culture and Sensitivity Stool Transport Vial (T058)
Container/Tube: Commercially available transport system specific for recovery of enteric pathogens from fecal specimens (15 mL of non-nutritive transport medium containing phenol red as a pH indicator, either Cary-Blair or Para-Pak C and S)
Specimen Volume: Representative portion of fecal specimen
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect fresh feces and submit 1 gram or 5 mL in container with transport medium.
2. Place feces in preservative within 2 hours of collection.
3. Place vial in a sealed plastic bag.
Reflex Tests
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| GID | Bacteria Identification | No, (Bill Only) | No |
| ISAE | Aerobe Ident by Sequencing | No, (Bill Only) | No |
| REFID | Additional Identification Procedure | No, (Bill Only) | No |
| EC | Serologic Agglut Method 2 Ident | No, (Bill Only) | No |
| RMALD | Ident by MALDI-TOF mass spec | No, (Bill Only) | No |
Testing Algorithm
When this test is ordered, the reflex tests may be performed at an additional charge.
For more information see Laboratory Testing for Infectious Causes of Diarrhea.
Method Name
Conventional Culture
Specimen Type
FecalSpecimen Minimum Volume
1 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fecal | Ambient (preferred) | 4 days |
| Refrigerated | 4 days |
Reject Due To
| Unpreserved feces ECOFIX preservative Formalin or PVA fixative |
Reject |
Clinical Information
Diarrhea may be caused by a number of agents, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and chemicals; these agents may result in similar symptoms. A thorough patient history covering symptoms, severity and duration of illness, age, travel history, food consumption, history of recent antibiotic use, and illnesses in the family or other contacts will help the healthcare professional determine the appropriate testing to be performed.
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are E coli strains capable of producing Shiga toxin, which can result in diarrhea that can be bloody. The incubation period between exposure and symptom onset is 1 to 9 days. Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a systemic complication of STEC infection and is characterized by kidney failure, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and nonimmune thrombocytopenia. HUS complicates approximately 15% of STEC infections in children younger than 10 years and 6% to 9% overall.
Treatment of STEC infection consists of supportive care. Antibiotic therapy is generally not beneficial in patients with STEC infection and has been associated with development of HUS in some studies. Thus, when STEC is clinically suspected, antibiotics should be withheld. Antiperistaltic agents also increase the risk of systemic complications and should be avoided.
Reference Values
No growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
2 to 4 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
CPT Code Information
87046-Escherichia coli O157:H7 Culture, Stool-with isolation and preliminary examination
87077-Bacteria Identification (if appropriate)
87153-Aerobe Ident by Sequencing (if appropriate)
87077-Additional Identification Procedure (if appropriate)
87147-Serologic Agglut Method 2 Ident (if appropriate)
87077-Ident by MALDI-TOF mass spec (if appropriate)