C. difficile, stool

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Test Name:

C. difficile, stool

Organism(s)/Disease(s):

C. difficile (CDT)
Clostridiodes difficile (CDT)
Clostridium difficile toxin (CDT)
Pseudomembranous colitis (antibiotic associated diarrhea)
Stool toxin

Body Source(s):

Stool / feces

Clinical Prerequisite(s):

Provision of relevant, clinical information is important to ensure a clinically relevant result
Always provide:
• specimen source
• current antibiotic therapy and start date
• clinical history: symptoms and signs; duration

Submit: unformed stool (stool conforms to the shape of the container)

NOTE: DO NOT collect stool with recent mesalamine rectal suspension enema, GynolII® vaginal contraceptive, TUMS®, or Maalox® liquid. These substances interfere with the assay

Collection Device/Tube Type:

60 mL sterile, plastic container

Comments:

Collect the stool specimen in a wide-mouth, sterile container - avoid mixing urine, toilet paper, water or soap with the sample
- Refer to: Patient Instructions
Fill ½ to ¾ of the 60-mL, sterile container - do not overfill

Handling and Storage:

Refrigerate

Handling/Storage Comments:

Transport to the testing laboratory as soon as possible after collection
Ensure the lid does not leak and is not cross-threaded

Rejection Criteria:

• Mislabelled or unlabelled specimen/requisition
• Leaking specimen(s)
• Receipt of rectal swab or Copan FecalSwab™
• Specimen collected in enteric transport media
• Specimen collected in any type of preservative (10% formalin, MV, SAF, or PVA)
• Submission of formed, solid, or hard stool specimen
• Receipt multiple specimens within a 24-hour period
• Receipt of a previous test within the last 7 days
• Patient is <12 months old and collected without Microbiologist approval

Turnaround Times

See Microbiology Information»

Comments:

All sites: For more test information refer to:
C. difficle Testing and Result (Lab Bulletin - 22 October 2018)
Calgary/South: for information regarding the testing algorithm used, refer to:
Molecular Testing Summary - APL DSC Calgary

Last Reviewed:

06 May 2023

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