Stool.

10 grams or 10 mL fresh stool preserved in 10% formalin and polyvinyl alcohol transport or single Total-Fix transport vial.

Also acceptable: Para-Pak SVT transport vial 25 mL urine in a sterile screw-cap container 10 mL sputum in a sterile screw-cap container or with 10% formalin

Minimum volume: 5 grams or 5 mL stool, 10 mL urine (unpreserved) 2 mL sputum or BAL

* Collection Instructions *

Note: Tissue samples should be sent to pathology.

Stool

• Place fresh stool in 10% formalin tranport vial, as well as PVA transport medium or single Total-Fix vial, within 30 minutes of collection. Add stool to bring the liquid level to the "fill to here" line on the vial. Mix well. Send specimen(s) at room temperature in the same shipping container.
• If parasite infestation is strongly suspected, collect at least 3 stool specimens every other day, since a single specimen can be negative. If Giarida is strong suspected, please see Girardia Antigen, EIA, Stool (Test Code 8625).

Urine

• Urine may be submitted unpreserved for exam for Schistosoma.
• Collect at mid-day.
• Peak egg secretion occurs between noon and 3 pm.
• Do not submit first morning specimen.
• In patients with hematuria, eggs may be found trapped in blood and mucous in the terminal portion (last-voided portion) of the urine specimen.

Sputum

• The specimen should be a deep expectorated sputum, preferably collected in the early morning.
• A 24-hour sputum collection is also acceptable.
• Submit in a sterile screw-cap container, unpreserved or in 10% formallin to increase stability.

Transport Container

• 10% formalin and polyvinyl alcohol transport or single Total-Fix transport vial
• Urine submitted in a sterile screw-cap container
• Sputum submitted in a sterile screw-cap container or with 10% formalin

Stool (preserved)

Ambient: 6 months

Refrigerated: 6 months

Frozen: Unacceptable

Urine, Sputum, BAL (unpreserved)

Ambient: Unacceptable

Refrigerated: 48 hours

Frozen: Unacceptable

Sputum BAL (preserved)

Ambient: 6 months

Refrigerated: Unacceptable

Frozen: Unacceptable

• Unpreserved stool
• Specimens containing barium
• Stool preserved in medium other than parasitology fixative
• Received frozen
• Stool submitted in expired transport vial
• Preserved urine
• Unpreserved sputum and urine received ambient or frozen
• Liver abscess or aspirate
• ECOFIX transport vials