| Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile toxin by PCR (8000100147) | |
|---|---|
| Test Mnemonic: | |
| Specimen Requirements: | Pseudomembranous colitis; Detection of toxigenic Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile from "watery" fecal samples. |
| Collection: | "Soft", "Loose", or "Watery" Feces sample |
| Container: | Clean container |
| Minimum Volume: | 1 mL |
| Storage/Transport: | Refrigerate 2-8C up to 5 days. Room temperature 20-30C up to 24 hours. |
| Specimen Preparation: | Transfer feces to a clean, spillproof container |
| Stability: | Refrigerate 2-8C up to 5 days. Room temperature 20-30C up to 24 hours.
|
| Causes for Rejection: | Formed stool specimens, insufficient quantity, sample on culturette, stool in preservatives, specimen container unlabeled or mislabeled, no date and time of collection on form. Testing is not repeated within 7 days. Duplicate requests (negative or positive) rejected if collected within 7 days. Children <24 months old will only be performed with Pediatric ID or Pediatric GI approval. |
| Reference Range: | Negative |
| Turnaround Time: | Specimens are batch tested three times within a day. |
| Methodology: | This molecular assay utlizes automated real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect toxin gene sequences associated with toxin producing C. difficile. |
| Performed: | |
| Lab: | Clinical Microbiology |
| Synonyms: | Pseudomembranous colitis test; C. difficile toxin assay; C. difficile toxigenic assay; Clostridioides (Clostridium)difficile test; Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile toxin test; C. difficile by molecular assay; Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile cytotoxin assay. |
| Clinical Indication: | Aid in the diagnosis of Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile related disease |
| Patient Preparation : | This test is performed on patients with diarrhea. |
| CPT 4 Code: | 87493 |
| When ordering tests for which Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement will be sought, physicians should only order tests that are medically necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of the patient. Components of the organ or disease panels may be ordered individually. The diagnostic information must substantiate all tests ordered and must be in the form of an ICD-10 code or its verbal equivalent. | |