A wide range of factors can contribute to gastrointestinal problems, including foodborne illnesses and other diarrhea-causing infections. Fecal swabs are a critical sample collection tool for gathering information about the bacterial source of the problem to aid in diagnosis. However, getting the best diagnostic information depends first upon using the right materials for sample collection and transport.
A fecal swab sample may either be a rectal swab sample or a stool swab sample. Both sample types are preserved in a vial of medium and transported to a laboratory for testing that will help clinicians in the diagnosis of a range of gastrointestinal bacterial infections.
A fecal stool swab is typically collected by a patient at home and transferred to a healthcare setting, where a qualified professional inserts and rotates the provided collection swab into the sample before adding the sample swab into the vial of medium. A fecal rectal swab, however, is used by clinicians to collect samples directly from the rectum in a healthcare setting, and processed immediately by inserting and rotating the sample swab into the vial of medium. This diagnostic tool can be used to identify specific bacteria in the rectum that may be the cause of a range of gastrointestinal symptoms and illnesses.
Either sample can be added to the vial of medium using a flocked swab. The vial of medium is specially designed to preserve the viability of bacteria during transport from the collection site to the testing laboratory. It is important to ensure that the swab uses compatible transport media for accurate lab results.
A fecal swab kit includes everything that is needed to collect and preserve a rectal or stool sample for laboratory analysis. This includes:
The transport medium is specifically designed to preserve microorganisms during transport. This medium is made up of a salt solution containing phosphates and chloride salts that provide a buffering capability. Other included ingredients may ensure an oxygen-reduced environment that helps maintain the viability of pathogens during transport.
Best results occur when the specimen is stored according to the manufacturer’s instructions and processed rapidly after collection.
Your success story starts here - Puritan Medical Products empowers you to transform concepts into reality. Launch your journey to excellence with personalized custom swab kits.
The accuracy of diagnosis depends upon the use of the appropriate tools and techniques for collecting fecal rectal and fecal stool samples. While cotton swabs have been used for this task in the past, flocked swabs offer a significant advantage in diagnostic accuracy.
Flocked swabs feature synthetic fibers of varying lengths specially formulated to provide the highest possible collection and elution capacity. This unique microstructure of the individual fibers allow for higher rates of bacteria recovery than other materials.
Swabs specially designed for stool sample collection should carry proof of testing for bacteria recovery performance. No chemicals should be added to the swab tip fibers, as this may impact diagnosis. The use of medical grade plastics for fecal swab handles and transport vials ensures the safe transport of potentially infectious materials.
The accuracy of your test results depends upon close attention to proper test procedure. To use a fecal swab appropriately, follow the directions below.
For complete directions and guidance on how to collect and transport a stool sample, download our guide.
Still have questions? We can help. Puritan provides specially formulated fecal swabs designed for the most accurate diagnosis. Contact us with questions and we can guide you to the right solution for your clinical needs.