Clostridium difficile Cytotoxicity Assay

Test Code

CTA

Quest Code

4408

Alias/See Also

Cytotoxicity Assay, C. difficile

CPT Codes
87230

Preferred Specimen

1-2 g or mL unformed stool, frozen, in sterile screw-cap container.

Minimum Volume

1 mL or 1 g

Instructions

Collect fresh stool in sterile, leak-proof container without media, preservative or metal ion. For patients requiring the use of diapers, first line the diaper with clean plastic to prevent absorption. Then transfer 2 g or 2 mL of the stool specimen from the plastic lined diaper to the sterile container. Cap securely. Do not submit the diaper itself. Do not use any preservative, media or additive.

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: 14 days

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

Formed stool • Swabs or samples submitted in transport media • Received room temperature

Methodology
Tissue Culture

Setup Schedule

Set up: Mon-Sat a.m.; Report available: 6-8 days

Reference Range

See Laboratory Report

Clinical Significance

Clostridium difficile is a spore-forming bacteria that is part of the normal intestinal flora. With intestinal overgrowth, c. Difficile is the major cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and colitis. C. Difficile is the primary cause of pseudomembranous colitis. The organism produces cytotoxins that lead to frequent, foul-smelling, watery stools.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute-San Juan Capistrano, CA

33608 Ortega Highway

San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2042

Last Updated: September 3, 2019

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.