Giardia lamblia
Clinical Specimen Submission Guidance
Submit all specimens to 150 Richmond Street, Suite 100, Providence, RI 02903. Open Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Learn how and where to drop off your lab samples at our Laboratory Central Services webpage.
Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory 401-222-5538
Giardia lamblia
Giardiasis (Giardia)
Multiplex PCR Panel
Stool: minimum volume 1 mL
Cary-Blair Transport media: Store refrigerated at 2-8°C. Test within 4 days.
CLIA regulations require specimens be labeled with at least two patient identifiers. Examples of identifiers are first and last name, date of birth, chart/medical record number. The specimen container must be labeled to match the test requisition or the electronic order.
Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) test requisition form https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf
Primary Specimens
Write "Giardia lamblia GI Panel" under Comments/Other Test Requests
Transport to RISHL as soon as possible.
Refrigerated: Transport and deliver to the laboratory within 48 hours of collection at 2-8°C in a cooler able to maintain specimen temperature. A plug-in electric cooler is recommended, however, a cooler packed with excess frozen gel packs is acceptable as long as the transport temperature is maintained at 2-8°C.
Specimens must be packaged & transported in accordance with federal shipping regulations.
The following rejection criteria will be used to ensure accurate specimen information and specimen condition for testing:
- Specimen received outside acceptable transport range
- Demographics different / Unable to read identifiers on specimen
- Two identifiers required on specimen
- Expired / Incorrect collection kit
- Insufficient quantity
- Urine cup received
- No specimen received
- Specimen leaked in transit
- Test not evaluated in adolescents <14
- Specimen too old
Giardia lamblia Not Detected
Providers must report patient information on Giardiasis within 4 days using the RIDOH reportable disease form.
3 business days
Kits are available from the RISHL Center for Laboratory Support Services and may be obtained Monday-Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. Kit order forms can be emailed to ridoh.centralservices@health.ri.gov