What is a stool study called?

From the Guidelines

A stool study is commonly referred to as a stool analysis, fecal analysis, or stool culture. This diagnostic test examines a sample of stool to detect various health issues including infections, digestive problems, or bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. When collecting a sample for a stool study, you typically need to gather a small amount of feces in a clean container provided by your healthcare provider or laboratory. The sample may need to be kept at a specific temperature depending on what's being tested for. Some tests require multiple samples collected over several days. The analysis can identify bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli, parasites such as Giardia, viruses, blood, fat content, or other abnormal components. Stool studies are valuable diagnostic tools because they provide direct evidence of what's happening in your digestive system without invasive procedures. Your doctor might order this test if you're experiencing symptoms like persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, or if they suspect conditions like inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer, as recommended by the Infectious Diseases Society of America 1.

Key Points to Consider

• The stool study can help identify a range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, as outlined in the guidelines for the diagnosis and management of infectious diarrhea 1.
• The test is particularly useful for patients with symptoms such as persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, or nausea, and can help diagnose conditions like inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer 1.
• The sample collection process is relatively straightforward, but it's essential to follow the instructions provided by the healthcare provider or laboratory to ensure accurate results 1.
• The analysis can provide valuable insights into the patient's digestive health, and can help guide treatment decisions, as recommended by the Infectious Diseases Society of America 1.

Recommendations for Stool Study

• Stool testing should be performed under clearly identified circumstances, such as when a patient is experiencing symptoms like persistent diarrhea or abdominal pain, as recommended by the guidelines 1.
• The test should be ordered by a healthcare provider, who will determine the best course of action based on the patient's symptoms and medical history 1.
• Patients should follow the instructions provided by the healthcare provider or laboratory for collecting and storing the stool sample to ensure accurate results 1.
• The results of the stool study should be interpreted in the context of the patient's overall health and medical history, and should be used to guide treatment decisions, as recommended by the Infectious Diseases Society of America 1.

From the Research

Stool Study

A stool study is a laboratory test used to determine the cause of gastrointestinal infections or diseases.

• The study can be referred to as a stool culture, which involves the inoculation of selective agar plates with faeces and incubation for 1-2 days to detect the presence of pathogenic bacteria within the bowel flora 2.
• Stool examinations can also involve testing for ova and parasites, and Clostridium difficile determinations in nosocomial diarrheas 3.
• The value of stool examination in patients with diarrhoea can help predict the agent associated with the diarrhoea, and is most useful in establishing a diagnosis of dysentery and in helping to distinguish between patients infected with Shigella and Entamoeba histolytica 4.

Types of Stool Studies

• Stool culture is the method of choice for diagnosing bacterial intestinal infections 5.
• Stool examinations can be used to detect viral antigens and nucleic acids, and to diagnose gastrointestinal infections caused by parasites 5.
• Molecular techniques can be used to rapidly identify bacteria, viruses, and parasites in human stool 6.