Stool - general culture

Fecal culture study

Feces under normal conditions contain undigested and unabsorbed food residues in the small intestine, in small amounts also metabolic products, bacteria naturally occurring in the gastrointestinal tract and dead epithelial cells from the intestinal lining. In abnormal situations (such as infections), its frequency, shape, consistency and color may change.

When pathogenic bacteria enter the gastrointestinal tract, they disrupt the composition of the natural intestinal flora and begin to produce toxins that can interfere with the transport (absorption) of substances in the intestine and cause diarrhea. Usually infection occurs as a result of eating infected food (raw eggs, undercooked meat, unpasteurized milk) or drinking contaminated water (from streams, untreated sourcesde).

When an infection occurs, its incubation period varies from 12 to 48 hours, and after the onset of diarrhea, the bacteria are excreted in feces, whichry in areas with poor sanitation regimes, can get into food and water bodiesy and can cause the spread of infections and the occurrence of local epidemics.

Sometimes it is a diagnostic problem to identify the cause of diarrhea. A bacterial etiology is suggested by frequent passage of stoolsńbut of low volume, with an admixture of pus, mucus or blood, and the symptoms of infection are severe and involve the entire body (high fever, abdominal crampsńle). Bacteria more often occupy the large intestine, the most common cause of infection are species such as Shigella, Salmonella, pathotwrs E. Coli, Campylobacter, Yersinia.

Diarrhea caused by viruses tends to be milder in nature, with stools more watery and smaller in volume, more often accompanied by nausea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and serious complications. Viruses most often attack the small intestine and are usually rotavirus, norovirus, intestinal adenovirus.

In identifying the cause of gastrointestinal discomfort, a useful test is a stool culturely for the bacteria that most often cause diarrhea.

Fecal culture – when to perform?

The test can be ordered by a doctor to diagnose gastrointestinal infections, especiallylly complicated, prolonged and not resolving spontaneously. In healthy peopleb diarrhea usually has a self-limiting course and requires only symptomatic treatment, in peopleb at risk, antibioticsb may be necessary. The test helps to differentiate bacterial and viral causes of diarrhea, detect the species of possible bacteria thatraced the infection and on this basis, if necessary, select the most effective treatment.

The result of the test should be interpreted together with other data like the patient's history of residence in developing countries endemic for certainspecies of bacteria. To complete the diagnosis, stool cultures can be supplemented with other tests such as microscopic evaluation of stools (for the detection of a large number of leukocytess, white blood cells indicative of infection or the presence of parasitess or their eggs).

Stool cultures should be interpreted together with other data such as the history of the patient's stay in developing countries endemic for somes species

Fecal culture – who should perform it?

Persons with symptoms of gastrointestinal tract infection:

• change in the rhythm of discharge and character of stools, watery, purulent or bloody diarrhea
• gas, bloating
• nausea, vomiting
• lack of appetite, weight loss
• weakness, crashing
• spasmodic, colicky abdominal pain
• fever
• feeling of incomplete expulsion and stool pushing

The test should be performed by people especiallylly:

• from groups at risk for severelated infections, very young or elderly
• with medical professions or working in the food service industry
• with weakened immunity
• with symptoms of dehydration, such as dry mouth or dizziness
• with a history of travelve to developing countries
• with a suspicion of recent consumption of contaminated water or food from an uncertain source