Daniel McDonald and Jack Gilbert (both University of California, San Diego; CA, USA) discuss the challenges faced during fecal sample collection and highlight important factors to consider when ...

Stool samples can help doctors diagnose some health conditions. Tips for collecting a stool sample include urinating before collecting the sample and using any tools that the sample kit provides.

There is currently a lack of consensus in the methodologies and procedures for the collection and preservation of stool samples, notably if further downstream metagenomic applications are envisaged.

Associations between the human gut microbiome and health outcomes continues to be of great interest, although fecal sample collection methods which impact microbiome studies are sometimes neglected.