Shiga toxin PCR Print

WSLH Department: CDD - Communicable Disease Division
WSLH Test Code: MP00545
Day(s) Performed:

Weekly

Turn-around Time:

1-7 days

Recommended Uses:

Detection of Shiga toxin-producing bacteria in stool specimens from cases of community-acquired diarrhea and cases with suspected or confirmed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). 

Confirmation of Shiga toxin EIAs or other testing method (i.e. molecular syndromic panels).

Pre-approval:

No

Contraindications:

Asymptomatic individuals

Additional Tests Performed:

Whole genome sequencing is automatically performed on all recovered isolates for public health surveillance. There will be no additional charge and no report to the submitter for this testing.

Preparation for Collection:
Specimen Requirements:

Stool specimens in Cary Blair transport media

Bacterial isolates

Enrichment broth (e.g. GN or MacConkey broth)

Collection Instructions:

Collect stool specimens according to instructions in Kit #10. Refer to instructions used at your facility for proper inoculation and handling of enrichment broths

Collection Kit/Container:
Requisition Form:
Required Information:

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:

Unpreserved stool specimen

Specimen Handling:

Stools or enrichment broths should be stored refrigerated (2-8°C) and transported with frozen cold packs. 

Isolates may be stored and transported at ambient temperatures.

Packaging Requirements:

Cultures and isolates that are known to contain Shiga-toxin producing E. coli are Category A infectious substances and must be packaged according to current regulations. 

Unknowns may be packaged as Category B depending on your lab’s procedures.

Courier Information:

Specimens, cultures, and isolates submitted for public health surveillance or outbreak investigations are eligible for fee-exempt courier service. 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:

Shiga toxin 1 DNA detected/ not detected; Shiga toxin 2 DNA detected/ not detected; eae DNA detected/not detected; ehxA DNA detected/not detected

Limitations:
Additional Tests Recommended:
Additional Comments:

One positive isolate, stool, or enrichment broth per patient per year is requested for public heath surveillance.

Methodology:

Real-time PCR and Culture

Includes:

Real-time PCR for the detection of Shiga toxin 1 and Shiga toxin 2 genetic markers from isolates or stool specimens. Culture is performed on all submitted material.

Regulatory Compliance:
CPT Code: 87798x12
Price: $477.00
Fee Exempt Eligible:

Yes, if submitted for public health surveillance or outbreak investigations

Billing and Revenue Office:

1-800-862-1065 arbill@slh.wisc.edu

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