Clostridium difficile Pathway

Last Modified: 12/20/2022 10:26:55 AM


Medical Necessity Documentation:

Testing may only be performed after 7 for original negative, and  after 10 days for original positive
Client Notes:  
Patient Preparation: Patients must be symptomatic. 
 No "test of cure" specimens should be submitted.  Patients may remain positive for long periods without symptoms.
Specimen Requirements: 5.0 mL unformed Feces in a Non-Sterile Yellow Capped Container


Click Below for Temporatry specimen needs and information 
 This the link to the Quest test directory for Cdiff toxin/GDH with reflex to PCR test:

 https://testdirectory.questdiagnostics.com/test/test-detail/91664/clostridium-difficile-toxingdh-with-reflex-to-pcr?p=r&q=91664&cc=AMD
Collection Instructions:

Only specimens that conform to the container shape will be tested.
Transport & Storage: Temperature/Stability: ≤72 hours refrigerated
>72 hours frozen.
Rejection Criteria: Formed stools; Specimens received within 10 days of a positive result; or received within 7 days of a previous negative result
Reference Range:
Negative for toxigenic Clostridium difficile by DNA amplification. Positive for toxigenic Clostridium difficile by DNA amplification.
Negative for Toxins A & B by EIA. Positive for Toxins A & B by EIA.
Critical Ranges:  
Test Comments: Molecular testing (for the tcdB Toxin B gene of toxigenic Clostridium difficile) is performed initially to determine presence of organism genome. Only a positive molecular test will reflex EIA testing for Toxins A & B
Methodology: Molecular PCR, Toxin EIA
Clinical Significance: Clostridium difficile infection is a serious disease causing diarrhea, colitis, and even pseudomembranous colitis that develops as a result of antibiotic treatment. It may also occur due to nosocomial transmission. Recently, community acquired infections have been found with patients who have not received antibiotics. It is important that true cases be identified quickly to allow treatment which will prevent serious sequelae for the patient and possible nosocomial transmission.
Documentation:  
Custom Panel: No

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE

Turn Around Time: 8 to 12 hours
Days Performed: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Sites Performed: Parkview Regional Medical Center
PHL Test Code: CDMT
EPIC Test Code: LAB3208
Alternate Test Names: C diff; C Diff Pathway; C. diff Toxin; C. DIFFICILE MOLECULAR W/ TOXIN EIA REFLEX; cdiff; CDiff Pathway; C-Diff Pathway; Clostridum difficile; GDH; Toxins
Included Tests:  
CPT Coding: 87324

Go back to the top of the page.