Clinical Guide To Services
Infectious Disease Laboratory
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Collection and Transport of Samples for Botulism Testing
The Clinical Guide to Services is a comprehensive reference guide of testing services, shipping information, and submission requirements for Minnesota’s Infectious Disease Laboratory.
Even though there are ongoing efforts to keep information current, some information may not be up to date due to recent changes in testing procedures and/or regulation. Many of these tests are only available with prior approval from the Minnesota Department of Health.
If you cannot find what you are looking for in the guide, please Contact the Infectious Disease Laboratory.
On this page:
- Suspected Foodborne Botulism
- Suspected Infant Botulism
- Suspected Wound Botulism
- Suspected Intentional Toxin Release
- Shipping Requirements
Suspected Foodborne Botulism
|
Acceptable Specimens
|
Required Volume/Comments
|
Toxin Assay (T) or
Culture (C) Performed |
| Serum (Priority Sample Type) | 5 ml (less results in incomplete testing) | T |
| Gastric contents | 20 ml, anaerobic transport system | T, C |
| Vomitus | 20 ml, anaerobic transport system | T, C |
| Stool | 25-50 g (walnut-size) collected before anti-toxin treatment. | T, C |
| Sterile water enema |
Collect using a minimal amount of water, before anti-toxin treatment. | T, C |
| Implicated consumed food – commercial or home-prepared |
Leave foods in their original containers, if possible, or transfer to sterile, leak-proof containers. Empty containers with remnants of food are acceptable. | T, C |
| Unopened home-prepared food from the batch consumed by the patient | Leave foods in their original containers. | T, C |
| Unopened commercial products | Products are referred immediately to the FDA. | T, C |
Back to agent: Clostridium botulinum
Suspected Infant Botulism
|
Acceptable Specimens
|
Required Volume/Comments
|
Toxin Assay (T) or Culture (C) Performed
|
| Stool (Priority Sample Type) | As above. | T, C |
| Sterile water enema |
As above. | T, C |
| Serum |
3 ml (0.5 ml will allow screening but incomplete testing) | T |
| Rectal Swab | More useful for culture than toxin detection. | C |
| Potential Sources | Include honey, opened formula (Unopened commercial products are referred to the FDA.), other foods/liquids fed to the infant. Environmental sampling is discouraged. | C |
Back to agent: Clostridium botulinum
Suspected Wound Botulism
|
Acceptable Specimens
|
Required Volume/Comments
|
Toxin Assay (T) or
Culture (C) Performed |
| Serum (Priority Sample Type) | 5 ml (less results in incomplete testing) | T |
| Wound swab |
Anaerobic transport system | C |
| Tissue or exudate |
Anaerobic transport system | C |
| Stool | To rule out foodborne botulism. Collect as above | T,C |
Back to agent: Clostridium botulinum
Suspected Intentional Toxin Release
|
Acceptable Specimens
|
Required Volume/Comments
|
Toxin Assay (T) or Culture (C) Performed
|
| Clinical material | Serum, stool, sterile water enema as above. | T |
| Food |
As above. | T |
| Environmental swabs |
Send in individual clean, dry containers | T |
Back to agent: Clostridium botulinum
Shipping Requirements
Notify the laboratory in advance (on call : 612-282-3723).
- Collect and transport clinical samples in sterile, leak-proof containers.
- Leave foods in their original containers, if possible, or place in sterile leak-proof, unbreakable containers. Place each container in a separate sealed plastic bag to prevent cross-contamination during shipping. Label completely.
- Ship by the most rapid means available.
- Store and ship specimens in anaerobic transport systems at room temperature.
- Store and ship all other specimens at 4ºC.
- Freezing should be avoided as it decreases recovery of C. botulinum and may decrease toxin activity. However, if a delay of more than several days cannot be avoided, freeze samples for storage and ship frozen.
Back to List of Tests