Clostridium difficile (Antigen and Toxins), Stool

Message

Performed in the Microbiology Laboratory x5785
Patients should be passing >5 liquid or very loose stools per 24 hrs.

Test Code

CDIF

Alias/See Also

Stool, Clostridium difficile test
c diff

CPT Codes
87449; 87324

Includes

Antigen and Toxin detection (CPT 47489-EIA) (CPT 87324 C diff Toxin EAI)
Will automatically reflex to amplified DNA (C. diff PCR) test if antigen tests are inconclusive .

Preferred Specimen

Stool: liquid (minimum volume 5 mL) or loose (taking shape of container) only.
Colonoscopy specimens from patient with ileus accepted. Please note ileus on requisition.

Minimum Volume

5ml

Instructions

Collect feces from a clean bedpan; place 10-20 grams into container (such as urine cup) with tight fitting lid.
If possible, patient may excrete directly into wide-mouth cup or collection device.
Never take a specimen from the water in a toilet.
Do not allow urine to contaminate the specimen.
Send to lab immediately.

Transport Container

Urine collection cup

Transport Temperature

Room Temp if transported within 2 hours of collection.
Refrigerate if transport to lab will be greater than 2 hours.

Specimen Stability

Room Temperature: 2 hours
Refrigerated: 24 hours

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

Formed stools.
Patients aged <2 years old.
Previous negative wtihin 5 days.
Previous positive within 7 days.

Methodology
Membrane immunoassay
Indeterminate results automatically reflex to DNA amplification test (CPT 87493)

Setup Schedule

EIA/DNA: Sunday through Saturday; twice/day

Limitations

DNA amplification test detects presence of the gene responsible for toxin production. It does not indicate whether or not the organism is actively producing the toxin. DNA amplification test results must be interpreted with caution and clinical symptoms should guide diagnosis.

Reference Range

Negative

Performing Laboratory
Microbiology X65785 / X 65786

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.