Specimen must arrive within 48 hours of collection.
Submit 5 mL of fresh, diarrheal (liquid or loose) stool in a screw-capped, plastic container. Send specimen refrigerated. Forward promptly.
Note: Formed stool is not an optimal specimen.
Qualitative Immunoassay
This is a highly sensitive (97%) and specific test for giardia, and it replaces the 2 to 3 serial collection of stool for ova and parasites. Specimen may be refrigerated up to 48 hours without loss of antigen sensitivity. If patient is an immigrant, has traveled overseas, or for which there are other reasons to suspect a parasite other than giardia, please indicate this on order form when requesting an ova and parasite.
Negative
Monday through Sunday
Available STAT
87329-Giardia
87328-Cryptosporidium