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Test Code GIPANEL GI PCR PNL, STL (BAC/PAR/VIR)

Important Note

Substances and medications such as mineral oil, barium, bismuth, antibiotics, anti-malarials, and non-absorbable antidiarrheal preparations interfere with the detection of intestinal protozoa.  Intestinal protozoa may be undetectable for one to several weeks after administration of any of these substances.  Specimen collection should be performed after seven days in the case of antibiotics or barium.

  • Stool Collection Kits should be stored in the dark at room temperature.
  • Always examine the expiration date before use.
  • Do not use expired collection vials.
  • Do not collect specimen from a toilet bowl.
  • Do not contaminate the specimen with urine.
  • Transfer specimen to the two collection vials immediately.

Methodology

The GI panel test method is a FilmArray Multiplex PCR and tests for 19 common gastrointestinal pathogens including viruses, bacteria, and parasites that cause infectious diarrhea.  Results are usually available within one hour.

 

Bacteria
Campylocbacter (C. jejuni/C.coli/C.upsaliensis)
Clostridium difficle (toxin A/B)
Plesiomonas shigelloides
Salmonella
Vibrio (V.parahaemolyticus/V.vulnificus/V.cholerae
V.cholerae
Yersinia enterocolitica

 

Viruses
Adenovirus F 40/41
Astrovirus
Norovirus GI/GII
Rotavirus A
Sapovirus (Genogroups I, II, IV, and V)

 

Diarrheagenic E.coli/Shigella
Shiga-like toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) stx1/stx2
E. coli 0157
Shigella/Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC)

 

Parasites
Cryptosporidium
Cyclospora cayetanesis
Entamoeba histolytica
Giardia lamblia

 

Specimen Requirements

 

Stool


Containers/Tube:

  • Clean Empty Vial (white lid, empty)
  • Cary Blair Media (green lid)

Specimen Volume:

200 uL (minimum)

 

Collection Instructions:                                             Patient Stool Collection Instructions

 

Freshly passed stool, (<2 hours old) should be collected in a clean, dry container prior to initiation of antidiarrheal compounds or antimicrobial therapy.

  • Do not collect from the toilet bowl
  • Do not use stool contaminated with urine.
  • Transfer specimen to all four collection vials immediately.
  1. Open the vials containing the liquid.  Using the collection spoon built into the lid of each vial place small scoopfuls of stool sample from areas which appear bloody, slimy or watery into all the vials until the contents rise to the red line.  If the stool is formed (hard), please try to sample small amounts from each end and the middle.
  2.  Mix the contents of the vial with the spoon, then twist the cap tightly closed and shake the vials containing preservative vigorously until the contents are well mixed.
  3. The clear vial has no liquid in it.  Using the same technique as in #1, fill it with stool to the red line.
  4. Check all caps to be certain they are tightly closed.  Store vials at room temperature.
  5. Record patient name, identification number, source, date and time of collection and initials of the collector.
  6. Maintain and transport the specimen at room temperature (RT) if less than or equal to 24 hours.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Available 24/7

Maximum Laboratory Time

2 hours

Specimen Stability

Ambient < 24 hours

Refrigerate: 4 days

Reference Values

Not Detected

Performing Laboratory

Logan Health Medical Centry Laboratory

Test Classification and CPT Coding

87507

Specimen Transportation Temperature

Ambient