Specimen Required

5 ml liquid stool in Sterile Screw topped container (No Preservative)

Collection:

Test should be requested only on patients suspected to have antibiotic associated colitis (AAC). Collect at least 5 mL of fresh stool and place in a sterile screw-capped container with no preservative. Formed stools are not acceptable. Refrigerate and send specimen within 48 hours of collection. Indicate specimen source, collection date/time, current antibiotic therapy, and clinical diagnosis. Collect no more than one specimen in a 24 hour period; after two negative tests, wait 10 days before sending another specimen; after one positive test, wait 14 days before sending another specimen. If an unacceptable specimen is received, the client will be notified before disposal of the original specimen. See MLabs Stool Specimen Collection Instructions available online at http://mlabs.umich.edu/files/pdfs/GL-Stool_Collection_Guidelines.pdf for patient instructions.