Clostridium difficile Culture with Reflex to Clostridium difficile Toxin B, PCR : 1005015

Message

Toxin is heat labile. Keep refrigerated. Transport to lab within 48 hours. If longer than 48 hours, freeze and transport frozen.

Test Code

CDIFR or 1005015

Alias/See Also

C. diff culture; C. difficile Culture

CPT Codes
87081

Includes

If Clostridium difficile culture is isolated, then Clostridium difficile Toxin B, Qualitative Real-Time PCR will be performed at an additonal charge (CPT code(s): 87493).

Instructions

Stool (liquid or semi-formed).

Transport Container

Transfer 5 grams or 5 mL stool to an unpreserved screw-capped container.

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Specimen Stability

Stability: Unpreserved Stool: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: 48 hours; Frozen: 1 week

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Received room temperature; Received in Cary-Blair transport; Specimen other than liquid or semi-formed stool; Stool in preservative or mixed with urine; Specimen in wrong transport container.

Methodology
Conventional Culture/ Reflex to PCR

Setup Schedule

Sunday - Saturday

Report Available

4-7 days (From receipt at performing laboratory)

Reference Range

Culture: negative for Clostridium difficile

If reflex to Clostridium difficile Toxin B, PCR: not detected

Clinical Significance

C. difficile causes 50-75% of antibiotic associated colitis and greater than 90% of antibiotic associated pseudomembranous colitis. Pathogenic C. difficile produce two potent toxins, toxin A and toxin B, that cause diarrhea and colitis.

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.