A fecal culture is a laboratory test to find organisms in the stool (feces) that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and disease.

There are many ways to collect the samples. One way is to catch the stool on plastic wrap that is loosely placed over the toilet bowl and held in place by the toilet seat. Then, put the sample in a clean container. One test kit supplies a special toilet tissue that you use to collect the sample, then put the sample in a clean container.

For infants and young children in diapers, line the diaper with plastic wrap. Try to place the plastic wrap in a way that separates the stool from urine, so you can get a better sample.

In the laboratory, a technician places a sample of the specimen in culture media to encourage the growth of microorganisms. The culture is watched for growth. If there is growth, the organisms are identified. The lab technician may also do further tests to determine how the organism will respond to treatment.

You will get a collection container for the stool specimen. Return the sample to the laboratory as soon as possible. Do not include toilet paper or urine in the specimen.

There is no discomfort.

The test is performed when you have gastrointestinal distress and your doctor suspects that an infection is the cause. It may be performed if you have severe, persistent, or recurrent diarrhea without a known cause.

It may also be done if you've been taking antibiotics for a long period of time, to see if bacteria such as C. difficile (which can cause diarrhea after people take antibiotics) are now in the intestine.

Normal fecal organisms are present.

Abnormal results may indicate an intestinal infection.

There are no risks.

Often other stool tests are done in addition to the culture, such as:

• Gram stain of stool
• Fecal smear
• Stool ova and parasites exam