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Lifespan’s A - Z Health Information Library |
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Stool Gram stainDefinitionA stool Gram stain is a laboratory test that uses different stains to detect and identify bacteria in a stool sample. The Gram stain method is sometimes used to rapidly diagnose bacterial infections. Alternative NamesGram stain of stool; Feces Gram stain How the Test is PerformedYou will need to collect a stool sample. There are many ways to collect a sample. You can catch the stool on plastic wrap that is loosely placed over the toilet bowl and held in place by the toilet seat, and then place the sample in a clean container. (One test kit supplies a special toilet tissue that you use to collect the sample.) Do not take stool samples from the toilet bowl water, because this can cause errors. If you need to collect a sample from a child still in diapers, line the diaper with plastic wrap. Position the plastic wrap so that it keeps the stool from any urine. Mixing of urine and stool can spoil a good sample. Your health care provider will give you instructions on when and how to return the sample. The sample is sent to a laboratory. A small amount is spread in a very thin layer on a glass slide. This is called a smear. A series of special stains are added to the sample. The lab team member examines the stained smear under the microscope, looking for bacteria. The color, size, and shape of the cells help identify the specific bacteria. How the Test Will FeelA lab smear is painless and does not involve the patient. There is no discomfort when a stool sample is collected at home because it only involves normal bowel functions. Why the Test is PerformedYour doctor may order this test to help diagnose an intestinal infection or illness, sometimes involving diarrhea. Normal ResultsA normal result means only normal or "friendly" bacteria were seen on the stained slide. Everyone has friendly bacteria in their intestines. Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results. What Abnormal Results MeanAn abnormal result means that an intestinal infection may be present. Stool cultures and other tests can also help diagnose the cause of the infection. RisksThere are no risks. ReferencesDuPont HL. Approach to the patient with suspected enteric infection. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 305.Review Date: 11/2/2008
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. The information provided herein should not be used during any
medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical
condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for
diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911
for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for
information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those
other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the
information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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