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Elegible Submitters |
Test is available to all pre-approved submitters within the state of California. Submissions from clinical laboratories should route through the corresponding county public health laboratories (PHL).
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Test Methodology
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Isolation, phenotypic or genotypic identification, serotyping, toxin detection.
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Reflex Testing
Criteria |
Recovered bacterial isolates may be routed for molecular characterization using Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) for public health surveillance and epidemiologic investigations. Clinical reports are not issued for surveillance or epidemiologic testing.
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Pre-Approval Required |
None
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Supplemental Information and Required Form(s) |
Fecal specimen and enrichment broths must be positive by a CIDT for Shiga toxin. The submitting laboratory is encouraged to confirm the enrichment broth is positive for Shiga toxin before submitting. Enrichment broths that test negative for Shiga toxin should not be submitted.
Suspect isolates of STEC can be submitted (See test order Escherichia coli and Shigella Identification, Serotyping and Shiga toxin Detection).
If the isolate is confirmed to have Shiga-toxin, the fecal specimen and enrichment broth does not need to be sent with the isolate.
Use MDL Lab Web Portal for ordering the test, select Test Requisition for “Feces for Bacterial Culture – 414”
Test requeted: STEC (Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli fecal culture
For submitters who do not have access to the MDL LWP; please contact
MDL.Submissions@CDPH.ca.gov for additional information.
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Required Specimen Type(s)
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Human source
Feces in transport medium (preferably Cary-Blair)
Enrichment broth positive for Shiga toxin or the Shiga toxin gene.
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Minimum Volume Required |
Fecal specimen 0.5-1 gram-mL or fecal swab.
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Specimen Stability
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Fecal specimen in Cary-Blair
Transport medium must be refrigerated at 2-8°C at ≤30 calendar days from date of collection.
Enrichment broths
Must be received refrigerated at 2-8°C at ≤30 calendar days from date of collection.
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Rejection Criteria
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- Submissions with insufficient or conflicting labeling
- Broken or leaking samples
- Fecal specimens received <2°C
- Fecal specimens received >8°C
- No fecal material observed in transport medium
- Frozen specimens
- Specimen ≥31 calendar days from date of collection to date received
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Storage/Transport Conditions
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Store specimen in transport medium refrigerated at 2-8°C.
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Transport Medium,
if applicable
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Cary-Blair (Preferred)
For isolates accompanying broth, ship cultures on nonselective nutrient or similar agar in tubes with leak-proof screw cap closures (See test order Escherichia coli and Shigella Identification, Serotyping and Shiga Toxin Detection).
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Specimen Labeling |
Testing subject to CLIA regulations. Minimum label requirement on the specimen includes patient name and one other identifier (e.g. preferably submitter sample ID, or patient medical record number, or patient date of birth) on the specimen container and the test requisition.
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Shipping Instructions and Specimen Handling Requirements
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- Transport all clinical specimens refrigerated at 2-8°C using frozen gel packs
- Frozen gel packs should not be in direct contact with specimen
- Do not use wet or dry ice
- Do not freeze specimen
- The shipper is responsible for making sure that all samples and specimens are packaged and shipped according to current federal and state packaging and shipping regulations for Category A infectious substance and/or Category B diagnostic samples
Ship to: California Department of Public Health
Microbial Diseases Laboratory
ATTN: Food and Water Diseases Section
850 Marina Bay Parkway, Specimen Receiving Room B106
Richmond, CA 94804
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Specimen Collection Instructions, if applicable
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Not applicable |
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Turnaround Time |
15 to 30 days
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Interferences & Limitations |
None
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Reference Range |
Not applicable
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Additional Information |
None
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MDL Point of Contact |
MDL - Foodborne & Waterborne Diseases Section (510) 412-3796
Monday–Friday 8 AM to 5 PM PT
Email: MDL.Submissions@CDPH.ca.gov
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