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.
Patients must be symptomatic.
No "test of cure" specimens should be submitted. Patients may remain positive for long periods without symptoms.
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:
≤72 hours refrigerated
>72 hours frozen.
Only specimens that conform to the container shape will be tested.
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
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.
8 to 12 hours
01425522
87324
Testing may only be performed after 7 for original negative, and after 10 days for original positive
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