Stool specimen collection

Because the couple s residence had been severely damaged and flooded by Hurricane Rita, both patients had waded in coastal floodwaters in late September, 2 to 3 weeks before their illness onset. Five days before onset of illness, both had eaten locally caught crabs. On October 14, the day preceding illness onset, both had eaten shrimp purchased from a local fisherman. The shrimp were boiled for 5 minutes however, at least some of the boiled shrimp were returned to a cooler containing raw shrimp and were eaten later. Two other persons who ate the shrimp reported mild diarrhea and abdominal discomfort they did not seek medical attention, and no stool or serum specimens were collected from them for testing. Toxigenic V. cholerae was isolated at the hospital from stool specimens of the two patients and was confirmed at the Louisiana State Public Health Laboratory. 

Occult blood is defined as traces of blood in the stool which are not perceptible to the naked eye. Usually, the passage of blood into the intestinal contents amounts to around 2 ml/day. Proof of occult blood is obtained by chemical testing (e. g. peroxidase reaction), although it is only possible to detect amounts of blood in excess of 1.5-2.0 ml/100 ml stool or to demonstrate them by means of an immunological rapid diagnostic test with a specificity of virtually 100%. The test usually comprises three specimens collected at different points in time. (s. p. 349)... 

Collect stool and urine specimens to monitor effectiveness... 

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