Culture: Botulinum (Human)

Laboratory Fee Schedule
Procedure #: BTA0006
CPT: 87075

Synonym(s): Clostridium botulinum culture, Botulism
Requisition Form G-27A
Test Description Culture identification for Clostridium botulinum
Pre-Approval Needed
  • DSHS Epidemiology consultation with physician required
  • Must notify BioThreat Team prior to sample submission: (512) 689-5537
Supplemental Information Required Patient history
Supplemental Form(s) N/A
Performed on Specimens from (sources)
  • Non-Human (Bacterial) 
  • Human
  • Environmental 
  • Food (associated with a positive clinical sample)
Sample/Specimen Type for Testing
  • Anaerobic isolate
  • Stool
  • Gastric
  • Water enema
  • Wound swab
  • Tissue
  • Food (associated with a positive clinical sample) 
Minimum Volume/Size Required

Feces

  • Infant 10 g or 5 mL enema
  • Adult 50 g or 5 mL enema 

Vomitus or gastric aspirate

  • 20 mL

Food

  •  50 g

Wound swab

  • 1 required, 2 preferred

Tissue

  • Pea-sized sample
Storage/Preservation Prior to Shipping

2-8°C (refrigerated). Wound, isolate or tissue ambient

Transport Medium Isolates sent in anaerobic transport media
Specimen Labeling

Human

  • Two patient-specific identifiers required (e.g., patient full name, date of birth, Medical record number)
  • Identifiers on specimen must exactly match submission form.

Environmental or Food

  • Sample identification must match submission form.
Shipping and Specimen Handling Requirements
  • Ship according to Dangerous Good Regulations, IATA, and/or CFR 49.
  • Handled as infectious agent using universal precautions. 
  • Triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for infectious agents. 
  • See also Emergency Preparedness resources online.
  • Notify BioThreat Team prior to sample submission: (512) 689-5537
Method Conventional biochemical methods
Turn-around Time 7-14 days
Interferences/Limitations Improper storage or shipping temperatures may limit organism recovery.
Common Causes for Rejection
  • Insufficient quantity 
  • Unacceptable specimen type or source
  • Improper shipping conditions
  • Expired media or collection container 
  • Discrepancies between specimen label and submission form 
  • Incomplete or missing submission form
Additional Information May be paired with Toxin Assay (Botulinum) and/or PCR – Botulinum toxin genes.