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Yersinia enterocolitica confirmation and culture

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$90 | CPT Code: 87077 | Clinical microbiology lab

Methodology

Culture

Acceptable specimen(s)

Testing related to public health follow-up or outbreak investigations must be approved by the Communicable Disease Branch before submitting specimens to the State Lab.

Stool

  • Unpreserved (fresh) bulk stool in a large, clear container with white lid or in a urine cup. Sterile straight-sided jars are acceptable. Bulk stool should not be in a preservative vial.
  • Preserved stool in Cary Blair is also accepted. This type of specimen collection is recommended to test for multiple bacterial pathogens.

Stool/rectal swab

Amies swabs and elution swabs (Eswabs) can be used to collect a rectal or stool sample. This type of specimen collection is only recommended for single-pathogen testing.

Specimen labeling

A minimum of two of the following are required on the specimen label:

  • Patient first and last name
  • Date of birth (DOB)
  • Medical record number (MRN) or patient identification (ID)

The following information is optional, but highly preferred:

  • Collection date
  • The chain of custody number, if ordered through LabOnline

The State Lab will not process samples without appropriate identifiers on the label. Be sure the information on the label matches what is listed on the test requisition.

Specimen stability

Unpreserved (fresh) bulk stool
8-25° C: received within two hours of collection

Preserved stool in Cary Blair
2-25° C: 72 hours

Stool/rectal swabs
2-25° C: 72 hours

Specimens can be refrigerated until shipped. Do not freeze samples.

Turnaround time

Ten (10) business days.

Results will be available in LabOnline. 

Rejection criteria

  • Incomplete or missing test requisition form
  • Incomplete specimen labeling
  • Specimen collected in expired collection kits
  • Specimen collected in inappropriate container
  • Quantity not sufficient for analysis
  • Gross contamination
  • Leaking or broken sample container
  • Received out of hold time
  • Received out of temperature

Ordering in LabOnline

  • Profile: Clinical Culture Testing, Micro
  • Testing type: Yersinia Confirmation/Culture
  • Matrix: Stool

Include the outbreak ID number in the special instructions field if this sample is part of an outbreak investigation.

Supplemental information

Local public health agencies should call the Communicable Disease Branch at 303-692-2700 to report outbreaks of enteric illness and obtain an outbreak ID number.

Calls should be made within 24 hours after the outbreak is detected. Testing related to public health follow-up or outbreak investigations must be approved by the Communicable Disease Branch before submitting specimens to the State Lab.

Contact information