| Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile toxin (8000101684) | |
|---|---|
| Test Mnemonic: | C DIFF PCR |
| Specimen Requirements: | Soft, loose, or watery stool |
| Collection: | Submit specimen in a sterile, spillproof container. Only specimens of soft, loose, or watery consistency are tested. |
| Container: | Sterile, spillproof container. |
| Minimum Volume: | 2.0 mL |
| Storage/Transport: | Store/transport specimen refrigerated, 2-8°C. |
| Specimen Preparation: | Transfer feces to a clean, spillproof container |
| Stability: | For optimal results, specimens remain stable for up to 3 days when refrigerated. |
| 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. The test will auto-cancel upon initial order. Fecal specimens received in formalin-based or alcohol-based fixatives. |
| Reference Range: | Negative |
| Turnaround Time: | Specimens are batch tested three times within a day. |
| Methodology: | Initial testing is performed on Cepheid GeneXpert® by PCR to detect toxin gene sequences. Negative results on PCR will require no further testing. Positive PCR results will automatically reflex to additional testing. When reflexed, additional testing is performed using the C. DIFF QUIK CHEK COMPLETE, which is a rapid membrane enzyme immunoassay. This assay performs simultaneous detection of C. Diff GDH antigen and toxins A and B.
|
| Performed: | Testing is performed at the following Campuses: Galveston, League City, Angelton. |
| Lab: | Clinical Microbiology |
| Synonyms: | Pseudomembranous colitis test; C. difficile toxin assay; C. difficile toxigenic assay; Clostridioides (Clostridium)difficile test; Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile toxin test; Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile cytotoxin assay. |
| Clinical Indication: | Pseudomembranous colitis; Detection of toxigenic Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile from "watery" fecal samples. |
| Patient Preparation : | This test is performed on patients with diarrhea. |
| CPT 4 Code: | 87493, additional codes 87324 and 87449 applied when reflexed. |
| Note: | Aid in the diagnosis of Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile related disease. |
| 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. | |