CAP Pro Course - Microbiology - Microbiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract

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Author: Julie Ann West, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, SM(ASCP)CM
Reviewer: Alexandru Casapu, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, PBTCM

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Identify clinical pathogens associated with common gastrointestinal tract infections.
  • Compare and contrast various methods of specimen collection, specimen transport, and specimen storage for gastrointestinal pathogen testing.
  • Outline common clinical testing methods used to identify gastrointestinal pathogens.
  • Analyze communication tools used for reporting results of gastrointestinal pathogen testing and their effectiveness in preventing the spread of identified gastrointestinal pathogens.

Course Outline

  • Identify clinical pathogens associated with common gastrointestinal tract infections.
      • Common Causes of GI Tract Infections: General Information
      • Common GI Pathogens: Sources of Infection, Incubation Periods, Symptoms, and Treatment
      • Dominant Pathogens Associated with Specific GI Tract Anatomical Sites
      • All of the following organisms are transmitted via contaminated food and water, except:
      • Why is the ability to distinguish between commensal flora and pathogenic organisms in the GI tract significant?
  • Compare and contrast various methods of specimen collection, specimen transport, and specimen storage for gastrointestinal pathogen testing.
      • Specimen Collection, Transport, Storage, and Volume Requirements
      • Stool Specimen Guide
      • Specimen Processing
      • Many specimens for GI testing are received in the laboratory daily. Which of the following specimens would be acceptable for testing?
      • A fresh (unpreserved) stool sample is submitted to the laboratory for a stool culture at 11:00 AM. The patient states that the sample was stored in th...
      • A 56-year-old man presents to a clinic in rural Montana complaining of abdominal pain and diarrhea for the past 48 hours. The physician would like to ...
      • When working with patients, it is important not to make assumptions about their knowledge of specimen collection practices. A patient inquires about h...
      • You are working on the microbiology specimen processing bench receiving specimens from outpatient clinics. As you receive specimens, you must be sure ...
  • Outline common clinical testing methods used to identify gastrointestinal pathogens.
      • Quick Reference Guide to Identification of Common Pathogens
      • Standard Culture Methods of Identification: Aeromonas and Plesiomonas
      • Standard Culture Methods for Identification: Campylobacter
      • Standard Culture Methods for Identification: E. coli O157:H7 and Clostridioides difficile
      • Standard Culture Methods for Identification: Salmonella and Shigella
      • Standard Culture Methods for Identification: Yersinia and Vibrio
      • Standard Identification Methods: Intoxication (Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium botulinum, and Bacillus cereus)
      • Standard Methods for Identification: Parasites and Viruses
      • Non-Culture Testing Methods for Gastrointestinal (GI) Pathogens
      • All of the following organisms will grow on sheep blood agar at 37°C, except:
      • For which of the following gastrointestinal pathogens is a vaccine available?
      • Multiple patient samples have been submitted to the laboratory as part of an outbreak investigation. It was discovered that all of the patients consum...
      • A 26-year-old woman presents to the emergency department showing signs of dehydration with complaints of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, a...
      • While interpreting a stool culture at 24 hours, you observe dark pink colonies on the MacConkey plate (MAC) but colorless colonies on the sorbitol Mac...
      • Three days after the flooding began in Louisiana, multiple patients submit stool samples for analysis. Clinically, the patients report watery diarrhea...
      • A 17-year-old boy reports abdominal pain, diarrhea, and a fever that began two days ago. He discloses an unremarkable history and mentions that his sy...
      • Multiple patients have arrived at the local clinic with complaints of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The patients state that the symptoms began aroun...
  • Analyze communication tools used for reporting results of gastrointestinal pathogen testing and their effectiveness in preventing the spread of identified gastrointestinal pathogens.
      • Preliminary Versus Final Result Reporting and Expected Turnaround Times
      • Reports: Hospital Infection Control and Public Health Agencies
      • Which of the following test methods would NOT typically have results available within 72 hours?
      • In a hospital setting, what is the most common gastrointestinal pathogen isolated?
      • The microbiology department, infection prevention nurses, and infectious disease doctors are in the process of reviewing the infection control policie...
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for MLS, MT, and MLT personnel, medical laboratory science students and interns, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists.
Author:  Dr. Julie Ann West is certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) and as a Specialist in Microbiology (SM). In addition, Dr. West has earned a PhD in Public Health - Infectious Disease Epidemiology - and is Certified in Public Health (CPH) by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Dr. West is experienced as a Technical Specialist, Safety Officer, Educator, and Lead in the Veterans Administration Healthcare System, and has prior experience as an Administrative Laboratory Director.
Reviewer Information: Alexandru Casapu, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, PBTCM, has over 20 years of experience as a medical laboratory scientist, section supervisor, and laboratory manager. He is the former Director of Clinical Laboratory Technology Program at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. He is currently a Program Director at MediaLab, Inc. Alex holds BS degrees in Biology and Medical Technology from Clark Atlanta University and an MBA from the University of Georgia.

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