Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel, Stool — Culture
A stool culture test used to identify gastrointestinal pathogens that may be causing diarrhea or other intestinal symptoms.
["This test looks for disease-causing organisms in stool to help guide diagnosis and treatment."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 82305-4
- Short code
- GI pathogens Pnl Stl Cult
- Synonyms
- GI pathogens Pnl Stl Cult
- Category
- liver
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- culture
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
A gastrointestinal pathogen panel is a laboratory test that examines stool for bacteria or other organisms associated with gastrointestinal infection. The culture method allows organisms in the sample to be identified.
Why might I need this test?
This test may be ordered for persistent or severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, blood in the stool, or symptoms after travel or exposure to a contaminated food or water source.
How is the test performed?
A stool sample is collected and tested in the laboratory using culture-based methods. The panel may test for several gastrointestinal pathogens at once, and any organisms detected are identified and reported.
How do I prepare for the test?
Follow the laboratory's stool-collection instructions carefully and avoid contaminating the sample with urine or toilet water. Tell the clinician about recent antibiotics, travel, food or water exposure, and contact with someone who was ill; do not stop prescribed medication without medical advice.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
A positive result identifies a gastrointestinal pathogen and may help the clinician choose targeted treatment and infection-control measures. Some organisms detected in stool can represent normal carriage rather than illness, so results must be interpreted with symptoms and other findings. A negative result does not completely exclude infection because some pathogens may not grow in culture or may be missed by the methods used.
Short name
GI Pathogen Panel, Stool Culture
Frequently asked questions
What does a positive result mean?
Can this test be done with a stool sample collected at home?
What if the test is negative but symptoms continue?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy