Special Precautions/Comments:

N.B.  Please provide clinical details if sample is submitted test of cure. These samples will be tested by routine culture methods due to the low level of detection of the PCR assay.

Interferences:  Samples that are viscous with mucus or heavily bloodstained may result in invalid or unresolved results.

Method:  Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the simultaneous detection of Salmonella enterica spp., Shigella spp., Campylobacter jejuni/coli/lari, Shiga-like toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) stx1/stx2, Cryptosporidium parvum/hominis and Giardia lamblia from human stool samples. Significant isolates will be tested for antibiotic susceptibility. Significant isolates will be referred to Gastrointestinal Infections Reference Service, UKHSA Colindale for further identification and typing.  Calibration: N/A .  EQA scheme: NEQAS.  IQC:

Interpretation:  

Additional Information:

This screen includes a Crypto/Giardia screen