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HelpClostridium difficile GDH/Toxin
Collection Restrictions
Non-liquid samples are tested only when toxic megacolon is suspected
Specimens from children less than 1 year will not be tested due to high incidence of C. difficle conlonization in the age group
Collection Requirements
Source: stool
Container: sterile cup
Volume: 1-3 mL liquid stool
Special Instructions
Send to Lab immediately; must be processed within 1 hour of collection or refrigerate up to 24-hours
Turn Around Time
Rapid Screening: 2 hours
PCR: 24 hours
Availability
Routine
Algorithm
Rapid Screening provides results for C.difficile antigen (GDH) and toxin A/B Result Interpretation:
- GDH pos; Tox pos = Toxigenic C.difficile detected
- GDH neg; Tox neg = Toxigenic C.difficile NOT detected
- GDH pos; Tox neg = C.difficile antigen detected; toxin detection (by PCR) will be initated by the lab with results available in 24-hours
- GDH neg; Tox pos= indeterminate result; recollect if clinicallly warranted
Lab Processing Instructions
Specimen: liquid stool
Refrigerate if not tested within 1 hour of collection
Performing Laboratory
Adele Hall
Adele Hall Lab Section
Microbiology
Instrumentation/Methodology
Rapid Screening: rapid EIA for GDH antigen and toxin
PCR: for C diff toxin B
Reference Ranges
Negative
CPT
87449
87324
87493 as appropriate