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HelpTest Code YERSC Yersinia Culture, Feces
Ordering Guidance
This test is not intended to diagnose plague, which is caused by Yersinia pestis. Contact the laboratory for cases of suspected plague.
Additional Testing Requirements
If susceptibility testing is needed, also order ZMMLS / Antimicrobial Susceptibility, Aerobic Bacteria, Varies. If susceptibility testing is not needed (eg, due to lack of recovery of Yersinia species from feces), it will not be performed and the ZMMLS order will be canceled at time of report.
In some cases, local public health requirements may impact Mayo Clinic Laboratories clients, requiring, for example, submission of isolates to public health laboratories. Clients should familiarize themselves with local requirements and are responsible for submitting isolates to appropriate public health laboratories. Clients can obtain isolates of Yersinia species recovered from specimens submitted to Mayo Clinic Laboratories by calling 800-533-1710 as soon as possible after reporting (to ensure viability of the bacterium).
Shipping Instructions
Specimen must arrive within 96 hours of collection.
Necessary Information
Specimen source is required.
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation: Patient should not use barium or bismuth for 7 to 10 days before specimen collection.
Supplies: Culture and Sensitivity Stool Transport Vial (T058)
Container/Tube: Commercially available transport system specific for recovery of enteric pathogens from fecal specimens (15 mL of non-nutritive transport medium containing phenol red as a pH indicator, either Cary-Blair or Para-Pak C and S)
Specimen Volume: Representative portion of fecal specimen
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect fresh feces and submit 1 gram or 5 mL in container with transport medium.
2. Place feces in preservative within 2 hours of collection.
3. Place vial in a sealed plastic bag.
Useful For
Determining whether Yersinia species may be the cause of diarrhea
Reflexive testing for Yersinia species from nucleic acid amplification test-positive feces
This test is generally not useful for patients hospitalized more than 3 days because the yield from specimens from these patients is very low, as is the likelihood of identifying a pathogen that has not been detected previously.
Reflex Tests
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| GID | Bacteria Identification | No, (Bill Only) | No |
| ISAE | Aerobe Ident by Sequencing | No, (Bill Only) | No |
| REFID | Additional Identification Procedure | No, (Bill Only) | No |
| RMALD | Ident by MALDI-TOF mass spec | No, (Bill Only) | No |
Testing Algorithm
When this test is ordered, the reflex tests may be performed at an additional charge.
For more information see Laboratory Testing for Infectious Causes of Diarrhea
Special Instructions
Method Name
Conventional Culture
Reporting Name
Yersinia Culture, FSpecimen Type
FecalSpecimen Minimum Volume
1 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fecal | Ambient (preferred) | 4 days | |
| Refrigerated | 4 days |
Reject Due To
| Unpreserved feces ECOFIX preservative Formalin, or PVA fixative |
Reject |
Clinical Information
Diarrhea may be caused by a number of agents, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and chemicals; these agents may result in similar symptoms. A thorough patient history covering symptoms, severity and duration of illness, age, travel history, food consumption, history of recent antibiotic use, and illnesses in the family or other contacts will help the healthcare professional determine the appropriate testing to be performed.
Several species of Yersinia that are detected by this test may cause diarrhea. Yersinia enterocolitica is the species most frequently isolated with this test.
Reference Values
No growth of Yersinia species.
Interpretation
The growth of Yersinia species identifies a potential cause of diarrhea.
Cautions
The yield of Yersinia species is reduced when specimens are delayed in transit to the laboratory (>2 hours from collection for unpreserved specimens).
Check local public health requirements, which may require submission of isolates to a public health laboratory. Not all species of Yersinia are detected by this test.
Method Description
The fecal specimen is inoculated onto cefsulodin-irgasan-novobiocin agar and phosphate buffered saline for cold enrichment. After incubation, suspect Yersinia colonies are identified using one or a combination of the following techniques: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry, conventional biochemical tests, carbon source utilization, serologic methods, or nucleic acid sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Yersinia species that may be reported include but are not limited to: Yersinia enterocolitica; Yersinia frederiksenii; Yersinia intermedia; Yersinia kristensenii; Yersinia pestis; Yersinia pseudotuberculosis; and Yersinia similis.(Kingry LC, Tarr CL, Petersen JM. Yersinia. In: Carroll KC, Pfaller MA, eds. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 12th ed. ASM Press; 2019:751-764)
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
24 to 27 daysSpecimen Retention Time
7 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
87046-Yersinia Culture, Stool-with isolation and preliminary examination
87077-Bacteria Identification (if appropriate)
87153-Aerobe Ident by Sequencing (if appropriate)
87077-Additional Identification Procedure (if appropriate)
87077-Ident by MALDI-TOF mass spec (if appropriate)
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| YERSC | Yersinia Culture, F | 28549-4 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| YERSC | Yersinia Culture, F | 28549-4 |