Isospora - Faeces

*Uncontrolled print copy. Valid only on day of print: 22 Jan 2020.

Specimen Collection and Handling

Limitations

Preparation Prior to Transport

Place specimen container in a biohazard bag and seal. Reminder: Store the yellow capped container at room temperature at all times. The white capped container must be refrigerated before submission or frozen if there is a delay of more than 72 hours.

Special Instructions

Follow the instruction found in the updated Para Kit Instruction sheet.

Collect faeces in clean dry container and immediately transfer a portion of the sample to the:

• White Cap sterile container and then emulsify another portion in the
• SAF preservative in the Yellow top container (Mix 1 part faeces with 3 parts SAF or 1 part liquid faeces with 1 part SAF).

The submission of the white top container will allow for method development of newer and more sensitive methods such as enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to obtain improved species identification.

Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)

Isospora specimen testing turn-around time is up to 3 days

Reporting

Results are reported to the ordering physician or health care provider as indicated on the requisition.

Additional Information

Submit 1 specimen per day for 3 days. Anti-diarrhoeal medication, radiological dyes (barium) and antibiotics interfere with the identification of intestinal protozoa as well as helminths and coccidians.

Please refer to the document titled:LAB-SD-024, Parasitology - Clinical Information Requirements andLAB-SD-071, Ova and Parasites – A Change to the Public Health Laboratories (PHL) Stool Collection Kit.