Enteric, Diarrheal and Foodborne Diseases Laboratory
Laboratory Scientist Lead:
Celere Leonard
443-681-4570
Frequently Asked Questions:
- If I have collected a specimen in a container other than the container designated for Enterics samples, can I still submit it for testing?
If you submit a specimen in a container other than the container designated for Enterics samples, we will test the specimen. However, your final results may be “unreliable” as the specimen was not received under the proper conditions.
- If I collect a sample and keep it refrigerated over the weekend, can I still submit it for Enterics testing?
Yes, if you have collected a specimen for Enterics testing and kept it refrigerated over the weekend, it is acceptable for testing.
- How long can I keep a sample before it is no longer acceptable for testing?
As long as the transport media is not expired, we will test the specimen for Enterics. However, we discourage holding specimens for longer than a week for optimal testing.
- The package insert says do not refrigerate but the Nurse said store my sample in the refrigerator. What should I do?
Please refrigerate all samples collected for Enterics testing.
- Can I bring my specimen directly to your laboratory?
No. You must submit your specimen through your Doctor’s office, hospital or local health department.
- When will my results be ready?
This depends on what tests are requested and what we find upon testing. This can range from four days to one month or longer in rare cases.
- What organisms are stool specimens from patients routinely screened for?
Stool specimens submitted from patients are routinely screened for the presence of Salmonella sp, Shigella sp, Shiga toxin producing E. coli and Campylobacter sp. If Yersinia or Vibrio species are suspected, the request form must indicate that.
- Why aren’t Yersinia and Vibrio species routinely screened?
Yersinia and Vibrio have special growth requirements and will not be detected using the routine screening media.
- Does your lab perform antimicrobial susceptibility testing on routine Enterics cultures?
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing is performed on Salmonella and Shigella if isolated from primary cultures. Susceptibility on referral isolates for Salmonella, Shigella, or Campylobacter are done by request.eaHealth Department Heal
