Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive within 30 minutes of collection.

Specimen Type: Stool; fresh-morning, random, liquid

Container/Tube: Cary Blair and ECOFIX (Preferred - both are required for testing).  PVA/Formalin is acceptable as 2nd choice.

Note: If specimen can not be delivered to lab within 30 min, specimen should be collected in Cary Blair and ECOFIX (available from SFRL or Microbiology at SFMC)

Specimen Volume: 30 to 50 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Recommended screening procedure is 3 specimens submitted over a 1 week period.

2. Due to cyclic shedding of parasites, a fresh-morning specimen is optimal.

3. Label container with patient’s name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if appropriate), date of birth and/or Social Security number, and date and time of collection.

Additional Information:

1. Specimen source is required.

2. Avoid recent antibiotics, X-ray contrast material, antidiarrheal medications, antacids, bismuth, or oil instillation.

3. Do not send more than 1 specimen per day.