Common Test-Ordering Errors
Part 7: Overordered Microbiology Tests

Initial Testing in Patients with Watery Diarrhea

October 2010

In brief, for patients with watery diarrhea who have AIDS, have contact with farm animals, or are involved in an outbreak in a municipal water supply, Cryptosporidium antigen testing is recommended as the first test.  For patients with watery diarrhea who are ≤5 years old (or their contacts), are campers, or who are involved in outbreaks in resort communities, Giardia antigen testing is recommended.  In patients with watery diarrhea who are involved in daycare outbreaks, both Crypto and Giardia antigen testing are recommended. Traditional O & P is reserved for patients who are residents or visitors to developing countries or to areas of North America where infections caused by worms are reported with some frequency. We believe that, by following this approach, unnecessary O & P tests can be significantly reduced.

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Initial Testing

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Jump to section:

• Introduction
• Testing at Mayo Medical Laboratories
• Common MML Test-Ordering Errors
• Common Microbiology Test-Ordering Problems
• Helicobacter pylori
• H pylori IgM (and IgA) Not Useful
• H pylori Diagnostic Algorithm
• H pylori Diagnostic Algorithm
• Ova and Parasite
• Parasitic Investigation of Stool Specimens Algorithm
• Initial Testing in Patients with Watery Diarrhea
• Conclusion
• Questions?