Clostridium difficile Toxin B, Qualitative, Real-Time PCR

Test Code

16377

CPT Codes
87493

Preferred Specimen

5 mL unpreserved stool collected in a sterile leak-proof container.

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Instructions

Transfer liquid or soft stool (but not urine) into the container. Avoid mixing toilet paper, or soap with the sample. Store sample refrigerated until shipment.

Transport Container

Sterile leak-proof container

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 5 days
Frozen: 30 days

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

Specimen other than liquid or semi-formed stool • Stool in preservative or mixed with urine • Specimen in wrong transport container

Methodology
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

1 day

Reference Range

Not detected

Clinical Significance

C. difficile is the major cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and pseudomembranous colitis.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics-Seattle

1737 Airport Way S Suite 200

Seattle, WA 98134-1636

Last Updated: November 6, 2024

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.