Test Directory

Clear All
Test Code
ECCLT
Test Name
Escherichia coli O157, Culture
CPT Codes
87046
Expected Turnaround Time
3 - 6 days
Clinical Utility

Infection by shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) can cause self-limiting diarrhea to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Serotype O157:H7, the most frequently isolated, has been isolated in large food outbreaks and sporadic cases.
Specimen and Container Info

Specimen Type: Stool

Alternate Specimen Type: Rectal Swab

Preferred Collection Container: Cary-Blair Transport Collection Kit

Alternate Collection Container: Amies Transport

Desired Specimen Volume: 1g

Collection Instructions
  1. Collect stool in a sterile container.
Processing and Submission Instructions
  1. Transfer 1 g of stool into a Cary-Blair stool culture transport medium.
Transport Instructions

Transport to the laboratory refrigerated. 
Stability Requirements

Room Temperature

Cary-Blair transport

96 hours

Amies transport

48 hours

Refrigerated

Cary-Blair transport

96 hours

Amies transport

48 hours
Causes for Rejection
  • Unpreserved at any temperature
  • Frozen specimens in Cary-Blair stool culture transport medium
  • Expired transport medium
  • Specimen in diaper or parisitology transport vial
Methodology
Varies By Test
Reference Intervals

See patient report.

Reference Lab
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
Testing Schedule
Routine, daily
The American Medical Association (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes published by HNL Lab Medicine are guidelines and are intended for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the exclusive responsibility of the billing entity. View the Terms.
© 2026 HNL Lab Medicine. All rights reserved.