Staphylococcus aureus, Clinical Culture and Toxin Detection !!! NOTE: The contents are valid only for: 06/28/2025 !!!
| WSLH Department: | CDD - Communicable Disease Division |
| WSLH Test Code: | MP00480 |
| Day(s) Performed: | Monday - Friday |
| Turn-around Time: | 2-4 days |
| Recommended Uses: | To investigate suspected S. aureus common source foodborne disease outbreaks |
| Pre-approval: | Yes, testing must be pre-approved by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. |
| Contraindications: | Stools collected more than 3 days post symptom onset |
| Additional Tests Performed: |
S. aureus toxin detection is automatically performed on isolates. No additional charges will be incurred. |
| Preparation for Collection: | |
| Specimen Requirements: | 5-50 grams of stool specimen in stool transport media or pure culture isolate |
| Collection Instructions: | Pure culture of S. aureus isolate on a slant or stool. |
| Collection Kit/Container: |
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| Requisition Form: |
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| Required Information: | Please identify suspected outbreak. Laboratory regulations require the following minimum information to be provided on the requisition form for a specimen to be accepted for testing: Patient name or unique identifier, date and time of collection, patient date of birth and sex, specimen type/site of collection, test request(s), clinician name and UPIN, and address for reporting results. Please be certain that name/identifier on the form matches that on the specimen label which is required to have a minimum of two identifiers. |
| Rejection Criteria: | Do not freeze specimens or cultures. Non-viable cultures will not be tested. Stools collected more than 3 days post symptom onset. |
| Specimen Handling: | Store stool specimens refrigerated (2-8°C); transport with frozen cold packs. Isolates may be stored and transported at ambient temperatures. Avoid temperature extremes. |
| Packaging Requirements: | |
| Courier Information: | Fee-exempt courier eligible if pre-approved by a health department. Contact Purple Mountain Dispatch at 800-990-9668 for specimen pick up. |
| Specimen Receiving Hours: | Monday-Friday 6:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Saturday 6:30 AM - 12:30 PM |
| Results Include: | S. aureus detected/not detected |
| Limitations: | Stool samples must be collected within 3 days of symptom onset. Stools collected more than 3 days post onset are not satisfactory for S. aureus examination. This test is only performed in suspected cases of S. aureus foodborne outbreaks and is available only through state or local public health agencies. It is not recommended in isolated cases of gastroenteritis. This test is not part of an enteric pathogens routine culture. |
| Additional Tests Recommended: | |
| Additional Comments: | |
| Methodology: | Bacterial culture and reverse-passive agglutination test for toxin on isolates |
| Includes: | Culture for S. aureus and enterotoxin analysis on cultures that are positive. |
| Regulatory Compliance: | |
| CPT Code: | 87081, 87899x4 |
| Price: | $61.00 |
| Fee Exempt Eligible: | Yes, if pre-approved by a health department |
| Billing and Revenue Office: | 1-800-862-1065 arbill@slh.wisc.edu |