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Stool cultures are used to identify viruses, parasites, and other pathogenic microorganisms. The routine culture can identify:
Shigella
Salmonella
Campylobacter
Yersinia
E.Coli
Staphylococcus
Since stool normally has a large number of various microorganisms present, it is not sterile.
Stool passed into a toilet bowl is not ideal for culture as it may contain contamination from others. It is better to pass the stool directly into a collection jar, or a bedpan. A sample of the stool can be separated with a tongue blade and placed into a specimen container for deliver to the lab.
Normal Values*
Stool Culture
Normal Stool Flora
*These are general values taken from a variety of sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one type of testing protocol to another.
Source: Operational Medicine 2001, Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300
