Enteric Pathogen Culture, Bacterial
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| Updated | 11/6/2026
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| Search Terms | Stool Culture, Bacterial;
Salmonella Culture;
Shigella Culture;
Escherichia coli O157 Culture;
Campylobacter Culture; Gastrointestinal bacteria; Vibrio Culture; Yersinia Culture
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| How to Order |
On the
General Microbiology Test Request Form (OHA0060), in the “Enterics” section, check the “Culture” box for the pathogen of interest.
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| Availability | All clients for public health investigations
State, Local, or Tribal Public Health Authorities seeking to coordinate collection kit distribution and specimen pick up at outbreak locations with OSPHL can find instructions at https://bit.ly/or-enteric.
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| Performed | Daily, on regular business days
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| Time to Reporting | Within 10 working days after receipt of specimen
Preliminary report will be sent upon Campylobacter, Salmonella, STEC, and Vibrio isolate confirmation, typically within 4 working days after receipt of specimen.
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CPT Code
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Specimen Collection Details |
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| Collection | Within two hours of collection, transfer stool specimen into Cary Blair stool transport system. Specimens must be submitted in Enteric Pathogen Transport (EPT) media (for example, Cary Blair).
Specimens must be collected prior to initiation of antimicrobials. Rectal swab in EPT media acceptable for specimens from infant patients. To submit specimens for Shiga toxin producing
E. coli (STEC), please visit the
STEC Culture Test Menu Page.
When OSPHL will be the first lab to test the specimen, patients must be given a copy of the Stool Sample Instructions for Patients (English-pdf) (Spanish-pdf). Patient instructions in other languages can be found at https://bit.ly/or-enteric. Labs sending leftover patient sample for reportable conditions may use their own patient instructional materials; they do not need to give patients a copy of OSPHL's Stool Sample Instructions for Patients.
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| Optimal Volume | 5 gm solid stool or 5 ml liquid stool |
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| Minimum Volume | 2 gm solid stool or 5 ml liquid stool |
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| Handling |
Store specimens at room temperatures (20-25°C) for up to 24 hours pending transport.
If stored for more than 24 hours, keep specimens at refrigerated temperatures (2-8°C) pending transport.
Do not freeze, avoid extreme heat. |
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| Transport | Package specimens to maintain refrigerated temperatures during transport.
Specimens must be received at OSPHL within 4 calendar days of collection and transfer into EPT media. If specimens will arrive at OSPHL within 24 hours of transfer into EPT media, specimens may be transported to maintain ambient temperatures.
Do not collect or transport for receipt at the OSPHL on a state holiday. Sample integrity may be compromised.
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| Rejection Criteria | Rectal swabs with no visible fecal material, specimens mixed with urine, raw stool, or specimens submitted in non-EPT.
Specimens are subject to the requirements of the OSPHL Specimen Submission Policy (pdf). |
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Comments
| Positive results for this method will reflex to identification for the pathogen found in the specimen. Additional information about these methods can be found on the respective Lab Test Menu pages for these pathogens.
If viral pathogens are suspected, please follow the instructions for
Viral Gastroenteritis Panel.
Original material submitted for testing is retained for 2 calendar days after receipt at the laboratory.
For additional information or assistance, please contact the OSPHL at 503-693-4100.
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Method Details |
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Methodology | Standard reference procedures for culture of Shigella spp., Campylobacter spp. and Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli, Vibrio spp., Yersinia spp.
For Salmonella spp., Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry
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Performance Specifications | Culture: N/A
Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF): Accuracy: 96.77% Precision: 100%
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