| Laboratory: | Clinical Microbiology |
| Test Name: |
CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE (FORMERLY CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE), TOXIN, MOLECULAR DETECTION, DIARRHEAL STOOL - (F)
Test Code:
SCDC
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| Clinical Information: |
Test Inidcations:
For patients with clinically significant diarrhea (>3 liquid or loose stools in 24 hrs), or ileus. Relevant risk factors include recent antibiotic use, gastric acid suppression, hospitalization, enteral feeding, GI surgery and advance age. Recommendations: SHEA recommends that: 1. Testing not be performed for asymptomatic patients. 2. Test of cure not be performed. 3. Testing specimens from infants <1 year of age not be performed as infants have been shown to be asymptomatic carriers with colonization rates as high as 70%. Patient Preparation Instructions: Have patient defecate in a commode or bed pan with appropriate liners. |
| Collection Devices: |
Preferred Device:
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| Specimen Required: |
Stool (>5 mL of liquid or loose stool) (Adult and Pediatric) Also acceptable are lumen contents and surgical or autopsy samples of the large bowel; rectal swab if patient has ileus (consult Microbiologist). If patient is in diaper, collect as much material as possible and place in specimen container. Formed stools are unacceptable except in cases of toxic megacolon (consult Microbiologist). |
| Referral: |
Stool (>5 mL of liquid or loose stool), lumen contents and surgical or autopsy samples - Transfer the stool specimens to a leak-proof container and transport and store without preservative at 2-8°C until processing (within 24 hrs of collection).
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| Requisition: | |
| Reference Values: |
Results are reported as Negative or Positive. If insufficient sample was submitted it will be report as "NSQ for GD antigen".
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| Availability: |
Daily
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| See Also: | |
| More Information: |
Specimen Handling:
Transport and store without preservative at 2-8°C until processing (within 24 hrs of collection). If transferred off-site, package specimen according to transportation guidelines. |