Clostridium difficile Culture with Reflex to Toxin B, Real-Time PCR,Isolate

Test Code

QCDCX

Quest Code

92014

CPT Codes
87081

Includes

If Clostridium difficile Culture is Isolated, then Clostridium difficile Toxin B, Qualitative Real-time PCR, Isolate will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 87493)

Preferred Specimen

5 g or 5 mL unpreserved stool collected in a sterile screw-cap container

Minimum Volume

2 g or 2 mL

Instructions

Toxin is heat labile. Freeze as soon as possible. Submit frozen stool in sterile screw-cap container.

Transport Container

Screw-cap container

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen -20° C: Not established
Frozen -70° C: 7 days

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

FDA Status
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.

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

5-8 days

Reference Range

Clostridium difficile Culture

Not isolated

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 Nichols Institute-Chantilly VA

14225 Newbrook Drive

Chantilly, VA 20151-2228

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.