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Order Code LABCDIFP Clostridium difficile by Molecular Detection

Useful For

Used for rapid detection of toxin producing Clostridium difficile directly from unformed (liquid or soft) stool specimens of patients suspected of having Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. The test is not recommended as a test of cure and is not suitable for patients <2 years of age.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Unpreserved, fresh liquid or unformed stool

Container/Tube: Screw-capped, sterile container

Specimen Preferred Volume: 5ml

Specimen Minimum Volume: 1ml

 

Specimen Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Stability           
Unpreserved Stool Ambient 24 hours
  Refrigerated (preferred) 5 days

Rejection Criteria

 

  •  Formed stool specimens unless ileus is present. Specimens that do not conform to the shape of the container or that can support an applicator stick (flag pole test).
  •  Stool placed in preservative
  •  Replicate testing within 7 days of a negative result.
  • Replicate testing within 10 days of a positive result.
  • Frozen specimen

Reference Values

Not detected for toxigenic C. difficile

Not detected for C. difficile 027 Strain

 

This test uses the Cepheid Xpert C. difficle/Epi assay to detect toxigenic C. difficile DNA and the presumptive detection of the sequences found in 027/NAP1/BI strain by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the Cepheid GeneXpert Instrument System.

Day(s) Test Set Up

  • Inpatients: Batched at 9AM and 1PM, Monday through Sunday
  • ED and Outpatients: ASAP, Monday through Sunday

Performing Laboratory

Ridgeview Medical Center Laboratory

Methodology

Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Test Classification and CPT Coding

87493 x2 units

Reporting Title

Clostridium difficile by Molecular Detection