Sorted By Test Name - Mayo Medical Laboratories

PFGE
80349
identification from stool culture for Salmonella, Shigella, and Yersinia species ranges from 3 to 5 days,
and for Campylobacter species it ranges from 2 to 4 days. Furthermore, non-O157:H7 shiga
toxin-producing Escherichia coli are not readily isolated in the clinical laboratory. PCR detection of the
most common agents of bacterial enteric infections directly from stool specimens is sensitive, specific,
and provides same-day results, eliminating the need for culture in most cases. In addition, PCR provides
physicians with a new tool in their care of patients and public health personnel in their investigation and
control of the spread of these diseases.
Useful For: Rapid, sensitive, and specific identification of the common bacterial causes of diarrhea;
Campylobacter jejuni/coli, Salmonella species, Shigella species, enteroinvasive Escherichia coli, shiga
toxin-producing Escherichia coli, and Yersinia species
Interpretation: A positive PCR result for any 1 of the specific assays (Campylobacter jejuni/coli,
Salmonella species, Shigella species/enteroinvasive Escherichia coli, shiga toxin-producing Escherichia
coli, or Yersinia species) indicates the presence of the respective organism in the specimen. A negative
result indicates the absence of detectable Salmonella species, Shigella species/enteroinvasive Escherichia
coli, pathogenic Yersinia species, Campylobacter jejuni/coli and Shiga toxin DNA in the specimen, but
does not rule out infection with these or other enteric pathogens. False-negative results may occur due to
inhibition of PCR (known inhibition rate of