CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE TOXIN B, PCR

Message

***Specimen must be liquid or unformed stool that takes the shape of container***

Test Code

CDPCR

Alias/See Also

C diff; C. diff; C difficile; C. difficile

CPT Codes
87493

Preferred Specimen

Sterile container with screw top lid

Minimum Volume

1mL liquid stool

Other Acceptable Specimens

None

Transport Temperature

Room temperature or Refrigerate

Specimen Stability

15-30ºC up to 2 days; 2-8°C up to 5 days

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

Formed stool samples will be rejected
Swabs will be rejected
Samples collected in Para-Pak transport media containing a preservative will be rejected
Frozen samples will be rejected

Methodology

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

Setup Schedule

M, T, W, Th, F, Sa, Sun

Reference Range

Negative

Clinical Significance

C. Difficile is a spore-forming bactera causing symptoms from diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation of the colon. Illness most commonly affects older adults in hospitals or in long-term care facilities and typically occurs after use of anitbiotics.

Performed By
Alverno Laboratories

Performing Laboratory
Alverno Central Lab
NMB13 (Molecular Biology, BD Max)

Last Updated: June 12, 2023

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.