When should routine stool cultures be obtained?
- Stool cultures are overused in clinical practice and are often a source of misspent time and money.
- Bacteria that are commonly tested include Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., Shigella spp., and STEC.
- They are positive in only approximately 1.5% to 5% of samples submitted.
- Stool cultures are clinically useful in nonhospitalized patients who have had diarrheal illnesses lasting for more than 5 days, cases suspicious for dysentery or severe diarrhea, or in cases of outbreaks.
- Stool cultures should not be submitted in patients who have been hospitalized for more than 3 days.
