Specimen Requirements

Recommended screening procedure is 2 specimens submitted over a 1-week period. Due to the cyclic shedding of parasites, a fresh-morning specimen is optimal. Do not send more than 1 specimen per day.

MDH recommends 2 specimens greater than 24 hours apart for screening new refugee arrivals.

Specimen collected in diaper or contaminated with urine is not acceptable.

Avoid recent antibiotics, X-ray contrast material, antidiarrheal medications, antacids, bismuth, or oil instillation. Wait 10 days to collect specimen after barium or other preparation given for X-rays. Wait 5 days after ingesting antidiarrheal or laxative preparations.

Specimen source is required.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Specimen must arrive within 1 hour of collection.

Specimen Type: Stool; fresh, random, unpreserved

Container/Tube: Leakproof sterile container

Specimen Volume: Entire collection

Collection Instructions: Label container with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Specimen Type: Stool, preserved

Container/Tube: Para-Pak Fecal Transport System (2-vial-1 formalin vial and 1 polyvinyl alcohol vial) supplied

Collection Instructions:

1. Use attached spoon from kit to obtain specimen from different areas of stool, especially where blood and/or mucus is observed.

2. Add enough specimen to bring fluid to fill line on both Para-Pak vials. DO NOT overfill.
3. Cap and mix vigorously.
4. Label vials with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Additional Information: Specimen is stable until date on Para-Pak vial label.