Specimen Requirements

Stool - Fresh and unpreserved

Submit fresh unpreserved stool in an airtight transport container. Label specimen with patient's name, date of birth and date and time of collection. Keep specimen refrigerated. DO NOT FREEZE.

Specimen stability:

72 hours when kept refrigerated at 2-8°C
14 days frozen at ≤ -20°C

Minimum volume:

0.5 mL or 0.5 g

Specimen rejection criteria:

Watery, diarrheal specimens and stool submitted in transport media, on swabs or in preservatives are inappropriate for testing and will be rejected.