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What is a Stool Routine & Microscopy Test?
The Stool Routine & Microscopy test is a diagnostic procedure used to evaluate the health of your digestive system. It involves a thorough physical, chemical and microscopic examination of a stool sample to identify gastrointestinal infections, detect parasites and their eggs, screen for hidden (occult) blood and assess digestive function. It is one of the most informative and affordable tests for investigating abdominal symptoms, diarrhoea, dysentery and suspected worm infestations — particularly important in tropical settings like Kolkata where gastrointestinal infections are common year-round.
⚠ Important: No fasting is required. Collect a fresh morning stool sample in the sterile container provided. Submit to the lab within 2 hours of collection — fresh samples give the most accurate results. Avoid antibiotics and antacids for at least 3 days before the test as these can suppress bacterial and parasitic growth. Do not contaminate the sample with urine or toilet water.
Parameters Tested in Stool Routine & Microscopy
A comprehensive stool examination covers three levels of analysis:
Physical Examination
- Colour — yellow (normal), dark brown (normal adult), black/tarry (upper GI bleed), red (lower GI bleed or beets), pale/clay-coloured (bile duct obstruction, hepatitis)
- Consistency — formed, semi-formed, loose, watery or frothy
- Mucus — presence indicates intestinal inflammation or infection
- Blood — visible blood (haematochezia) indicates lower GI bleeding
- Odour and quantity — frothy, foul-smelling stools suggest malabsorption or infection
Microscopic Examination
- Parasites — cysts, trophozoites, ova and larvae — identifies Entamoeba histolytica (amoebic dysentery), Giardia lamblia, roundworm (Ascaris), hookworm, tapeworm segments, Strongyloides and other helminths
- Pus cells (WBCs) — elevated in bacterial dysentery, inflammatory bowel disease and amoebic colitis
- Red blood cells (RBCs) — indicates bleeding within the GI tract
- Undigested food particles — suggests malabsorption or rapid intestinal transit
- Fat globules — increased fat (steatorrhoea) indicates pancreatic insufficiency or malabsorption (Celiac disease)
- Yeast cells — Candida overgrowth in immunocompromised patients or after antibiotic use
Chemical Tests (included in comprehensive panel)
- Occult Blood (FOB) — detects hidden blood not visible to the naked eye; screen for colorectal cancer and upper GI bleeding
- pH — acidic stool (pH below 6) suggests carbohydrate malabsorption; alkaline suggests protein malabsorption
- Reducing substances — positive in lactose intolerance in infants
Common Parasites and Infections Identified by Stool Routine
| Organism | Condition | Key Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Entamoeba histolytica | Amoebic dysentery | Bloody mucoid diarrhoea, abdominal cramps |
| Giardia lamblia | Giardiasis | Frothy foul-smelling diarrhoea, bloating, malabsorption |
| Ascaris lumbricoides | Roundworm infection | Abdominal pain, nutritional deficiency, visible worms in stool |
| Hookworm | Hookworm infection | Iron deficiency anaemia, abdominal pain |
| Strongyloides stercoralis | Strongyloidiasis | Diarrhoea, skin rash, high eosinophils |
| Taenia species | Tapeworm infection | Visible segments in stool, weight loss, abdominal discomfort |
| E. coli (pathogenic) | Bacterial diarrhoea | Watery or bloody diarrhoea (stool culture needed for confirmation) |
How to Collect a Stool Sample Correctly
Step-by-step collection instructions:
- Wash hands thoroughly before collection.
- Use the sterile container provided by Apollo Diagnostics. Do not use any other container.
- Collect the stool sample directly into the container — avoid contact with toilet water or urine.
- A small amount (about 5–10 mL or the size of a walnut) is sufficient. Do not overfill.
- Seal the container tightly immediately after collection.
- Label the container with your name and date.
- Submit to the lab within 2 hours of collection for the most accurate results.
- If trophozoites (active parasites) are suspected, submit the sample immediately while still warm.
When is a Stool Routine Test Recommended?
Your doctor may recommend a Stool Routine & Microscopy test if you experience:
- Diarrhoea — acute or persistent (more than 2 weeks)
- Dysentery — bloody or mucoid stools with abdominal cramps
- Abdominal pain, bloating or excessive gas
- Unexplained weight loss or failure to thrive in children
- Suspected worm infestation — itching around the anus, visible worms in stool
- Iron deficiency anaemia with suspected hookworm or upper GI bleeding
- Screening for colorectal cancer (occult blood)
- Malabsorption symptoms — frothy foul-smelling stools, fat in stool
- After travel to rural or endemic areas
- Routine screening for children in endemic regions
What Conditions Does Stool Routine Help Diagnose?
- Amoebic dysentery (Entamoeba histolytica)
- Giardiasis (Giardia lamblia)
- Roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm and other worm infestations
- Bacterial gastroenteritis
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, Ulcerative Colitis)
- Malabsorption syndromes (Celiac disease, pancreatic insufficiency)
- Lactose intolerance (in infants)
- Colorectal cancer screening (occult blood detection)
- Upper GI bleeding (black tarry stools)
- Candida overgrowth
Stool Routine & Microscopy Test Price in Kolkata
Stool Routine & Microscopy Test Price: ₹190
No fasting required | Fresh morning sample preferred | Submit within 2 hours | Free home collection above ₹2,000
No fasting required | Fresh morning sample preferred | Submit within 2 hours | Free home collection above ₹2,000
Tests Commonly Ordered Alongside Stool Routine
- Stool Culture & Sensitivity — identifies specific bacterial pathogens in bacterial dysentery and determines antibiotic sensitivity
- CBC (Complete Blood Count) — eosinophilia (high eosinophils) confirms parasitic infection alongside stool findings; anaemia from hookworm or GI bleeding
- IgE (Total Immunoglobulin E) — elevated in parasitic worm infections alongside stool ova findings
- Urine Routine & Microscopy — often ordered together with stool routine in children for complete infection screening
- Liver Function Test (LFT) — amoebic liver abscess is a complication of E. histolytica infection
- Serum Albumin & Total Protein — protein malnutrition from chronic parasitic infection or malabsorption
Home Collection for Stool Routine Test in Kolkata
Apollo Diagnostics provides home sample collection for Stool Routine & Microscopy tests across Nagerbazar, Dum Dum, South Dum Dum and surrounding areas. Our phlebotomist provides a sterile stool collection container at your doorstep with clear collection instructions. The sample must be submitted to our NABL-certified laboratory within 2 hours of collection for accurate results.
- Home collection available: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Daily
- No fasting required
- Sterile collection container provided at your doorstep
- Submit sample within 2 hours of collection
- Fresh morning sample preferred
- Free home collection on orders above ₹2,000
- Same-day digital reports delivered to WhatsApp
Quick Links
→ Apollo Diagnostics Nagerbazar → Full List of Individual Tests → Book Home Collection → Full Body Checkup Packages
→ Apollo Diagnostics Nagerbazar → Full List of Individual Tests → Book Home Collection → Full Body Checkup Packages
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the Stool Routine & Microscopy test used for?
The Stool Routine & Microscopy test examines a stool sample physically and microscopically to detect intestinal parasites (worms, amoeba, Giardia), bacterial infections, hidden blood, pus cells indicating inflammation, and malabsorption markers like undigested fat and food particles. It is the primary test for investigating diarrhoea, dysentery, abdominal pain and suspected worm infestation.
Q2. How do I collect a stool sample for the test?
Use the sterile container provided by Apollo Diagnostics. Collect a small stool sample (walnut-sized amount) directly into the container without contact with toilet water or urine. Seal immediately and label with your name and date. Submit to the lab within 2 hours of collection. A fresh morning sample is preferred for the most accurate results.
Q3. Does the Stool Routine test require fasting?
No fasting is required for the Stool Routine & Microscopy test. However avoid antibiotics and antacids for at least 3 days before the test as these can suppress bacterial and parasitic findings. Do not use barium, bismuth or oil-based laxatives in the 3 days before collection as these interfere with microscopic examination.
Q4. What is the Stool Routine test price at Apollo Diagnostics Kolkata?
The Stool Routine & Microscopy test price at Apollo Diagnostics is ₹190. Same-day results via WhatsApp. Home collection with sterile container is available free on orders above ₹2,000.
Q5. What parasites can the Stool Routine test detect?
The Stool Routine & Microscopy test can identify Entamoeba histolytica (amoebic dysentery), Giardia lamblia, Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm), hookworm, tapeworm segments, Strongyloides stercoralis and other intestinal parasites through detection of cysts, trophozoites, ova and larvae under the microscope.
Q6. What does blood in stool mean?
Visible red blood in stool (haematochezia) indicates lower GI bleeding — from haemorrhoids, anal fissures, colitis or colorectal cancer. Black tarry stools (melaena) indicate upper GI bleeding from the stomach or small intestine. Microscopic blood (occult blood positive) detected on stool testing without visible blood may indicate early colorectal cancer, polyps or ulcers — requiring colonoscopy for further investigation. Any blood in stool should be evaluated by a doctor.
Q7. What does pus cells in stool mean?
Pus cells (white blood cells) in stool indicate inflammation or infection of the intestinal lining. They are commonly seen in bacterial dysentery (Shigella, Campylobacter), amoebic colitis (Entamoeba histolytica) and inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, Ulcerative Colitis). The presence of pus cells alongside RBCs and mucus confirms dysentery requiring antibiotic or antiparasitic treatment based on the specific organism identified.
Q8. Is home collection available for Stool Routine test in Kolkata?
Yes. Apollo Diagnostics provides home sample collection for Stool Routine tests across Nagerbazar, Dum Dum, South Dum Dum, Amarpalli, Motijheel, Chatakol, Surer Math, Satgachi, Baguiati, Lake Town, Bangur, Kaikhali, Sealdah, Entally, Phoolbagan, Tangra and surrounding areas. Our phlebotomist provides a sterile container at your doorstep. Book by calling or WhatsApping +91 8660434628.
Q9. How long does it take to get Stool Routine test results?
Stool Routine & Microscopy results are available the same day. Digital reports are delivered to your WhatsApp or email.
Q10. Which centre processes my stool sample in Kolkata?
All samples collected across North and Central Kolkata are processed at Apollo Diagnostics Nagerbazar — Nandarani Apartment, 8A Narasingha Avenue, Nagerbazar, Dum Dum, Kolkata 700074. Our lab is NABL-certified and ISO-certified with experienced microscopists for accurate parasitology examination.
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