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Clostridium difficile Culture with Reflex to Clostridium difficile Toxin B, PCR : 1005015
MessageToxin 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: 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)
Limitations
This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.
Reference Range
Culture: negative for Clostridium difficile
If reflex to Clostridium difficile Toxin B, PCR: not detected
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
