Specimen Collection

This page includes instructions for brushings, washings and bile drainage specimens.

The adequacy of a gastrointestinal specimen is determined primarily by the presence of well-preserved epithelial cells indicative of the type of epithelium present at the gastrointestinal site sampled. All GI specimens tend to deteriorate rapidly in the fresh state due to enzymatic activity which is present throughout much of the GI tract. Collection of the specimen in Cytolyt or 50% ethyl or methyl alcohol is recommended.