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CARPHA Laboratory Procedure Manual
Section: QSE 05 – Process Control
Title: Laboratory User Manual
Page 32 of 58
D.
Doc. No: GUL-Q05-001
Effective date: 01.07.2013
Review date: 01.07.2014
Edition: 1
COLLECTION OF FAECAL SAMPLES
Stool specimens are most useful for microbiological diagnosis if collected soon after onset of
diarrhoea (for viruses < 48 hours for bacteria < 4 days), and preferably before the initiation of
antibiotic therapy. If required, two or three specimens may be collected on separate days for
bacterial diarrhoea. Stool is the preferred specimen for culture of bacterial, viral and parasitic
diarrhoeal pathogens. Rectal swabs showing faeces may also be used from infants. In
general, rectal swabs are not recommended for the diagnosis of viruses.
MATERIALS
SUPPLIES
 Clean, dry, leak-proof
screw cap container and
tape.
REAGENTS
 Appropriate bacterial transport media for transport of rectal
swabs from infants
 Parasitology transport pack: 10% formalin in water, polyvinyl
isopropyl alcohol (PVA).
PROCEDURE
A.
Method for collecting a stool specimen:
STEP
ACTION
1
Collect freshly passed stool, 5ml liquid or 5g solid (pea-size), in a container.
2
Label the container
B.
Method of collecting a rectal swab from infants:
STEP
ACTION
1
Moisten a swab in sterile saline
2
Insert that swab tip just past the anal sphincter and rotate gently
3
Withdraw the swab and examine to ensure that the cotton top is stained with faeces
4
Place the swab in sterile tube/container containing the appropriate bacterial or viral
transport medium.
5
Break off the top part of the stick without touching the tube and tighten the screw cap firmly.
6
Label the vial with patient’s name type of specimen and date of collection