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Stool Gram stain

Definition

A stool Gram stain is a laboratory test that uses different chemical stains to detect and identify bacteria in a stool sample.

The Gram stain method is sometimes used to quickly diagnose bacterial infections.

How the Test is Performed

You will need to collect a stool sample.

There are many ways to collect the sample.

• You can catch the stool on plastic wrap that is loosely placed over the toilet bowl and held in place by the toilet seat. Then you put the sample in a clean container.

• A test kit is available that supplies a special toilet tissue that you use to collect the sample. After collecting the sample, you put it in a container.

• Do not take stool samples from the water in the toilet bowl. Doing this can cause an inaccurate test result.

Do not mix urine, water, or toilet tissue with the sample.

For children wearing diapers:

• Line the diaper with plastic wrap.

• Position the plastic wrap so that it will prevent urine and stool from mixing. This will provide a better sample.

Your health care provider will give you instructions on when and how to return the sample.

The sample is sent to a laboratory. A small amount is spread in a very thin layer on a glass slide. This is called a smear. A series of special stains are added to the sample. The lab team member looks at the stained smear under the microscope to check for bacteria. The color, size, and shape of the cells help identify the specific bacteria.

How the Test will Feel

A lab smear is painless and does not directly involve the person who is being tested.

There is no discomfort when a stool sample is collected at home because it only involves normal bowel functions.

Why the Test is Performed

Your provider may order this test to help diagnose an intestinal infection or illness, sometimes involving diarrhea.

Normal Results

A normal result means only normal or "friendly" bacteria were seen on the stained slide. Everyone has "friendly" bacteria in their intestines.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

An abnormal result means that an intestinal infection may be present. Stool cultures and other tests can also help diagnose the cause of the infection.

Risks

There are no risks.

References

Allos BM. Campylobacter infections. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 279.

Allos BM, Blaser MJ, Iovine NM, Kirkpatrick BD. Campylobacter jejuni and related species. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 216.

Plourde AR, Beavis KG. Specimen collection and handling for diagnosis of infectious diseases. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 66.

Review Date: 10/11/2024

Reviewed By: Frank D. Brodkey, MD, FCCM, Associate Professor, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.