| Laboratory: | Clinical Biochemistry | ||||
| Test Name: |
Liquid Stool (Biochemistry Specimen ID: LS) - F
Test Code:
None
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| Clinical Information: |
Alternate Name(s): Stool or fecal supernatant
Description: There are several possible causes for acute (sudden) and chronic (>4 weeks) diarrhea, which can make diagnosis difficult. Biochemical testing of the liquid fraction of stool can assist in determining the etiology of diarrhea and is often interpreted in conjunction with microbiological testing and diagnostic imaging.
It is strongly recommended to collect a corresponding serum sample to compare to miscellaneous fluid results. |
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| Collection Devices: |
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| Specimen Required: |
Adult Stool supernatant (must be clear): 2.0 mL Pediatric Stool supernatant (must be clear): 2.0 mL
Collection Information: Submit to the laboratory in a sterile collection container without anticoagulant. Do not use evacuated blood collection tubes.
Do not collect samples from the toilet bowl.
Formed or viscous stools will be rejected for testing.
Special Processing: Centrifuge specimen 1100 x g (RCF) for 10 minutes to isolate supernatant. Only clear supernatant is suitable for testing; reject if supernatant is opaque or cloudy. |
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| Referral: |
Adult Volume: 2.0 mL
Pediatric Volume: 2.0 mL
Shipping & Storage: Ship refrigerated if testing cannot occur within 2 hours of collection. Testing Laboratory (MB): Health Sciences Centre; St Boniface, Grace, hospitals; Westman lab. |
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| Requisition: | |||||
| Reference Values: |
Method of Analysis: Roche cobas Pro c503
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| Availability: |
Daily
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| See Also: | |||||
| More Information: |
Interpretation & Assay Interferences: For interpretation guidance, please see: Fluids Interpretive Guide
References: 1. Cotten SW, Block DR. 2023. A Review of Current Practices and Future Trends in Body Fluid Testing. J Appl Lab Med. 8(5): 962-983. 2. Block DR, FLorkowski CM. “Body Fluids”, In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I, Burnham C-AD, Wittwer CT. Editors. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th Ed. Philadelphia (PA): Elsevier; 2022. pp 456.e36. 3. Steffer KJ, Santa Ana CA, Cole JA, Fordtran JS. 2012. The practical value of comprehensive stool analysis in detecting the cause of idiopathic chronic diarrhea. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 41(3):539-560 4. Sweetser S: Evaluating the patient with diarrhea: a case-based approach. 2012. Mayo Clin Proc. 87(6):596-602 |