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Test ID CDPCR Clostridioides difficile Toxin, PCR, Feces


Ordering Guidance


This test is validated for unformed (liquid or soft) fecal specimens collected from patients suspected of having Clostridioides difficile infection.



Specimen Required


The high sensitivity of amplification by polymerase chain reaction requires the specimen to be processed in an environment in which contamination of the specimen by Clostridioides difficile toxin DNA is unlikely.

 

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

 

Preferred:

Specimen Type: Preserved feces

Supplies: Culture and Sensitivity Stool Transport Vial (T058)

Container/Tube: Commercially available transport system specific for recovery of enteric pathogens from fecal specimens (15 mL of nonnutritive transport medium containing phenol red as a pH indicator, either Cary-Blair or Para-Pak C and S)

Specimen Volume: Representative portion of feces; 5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect fresh fecal specimen and submit in container with transport medium.

2. Place feces in preservative within 2 hours of collection.

Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred) <5 days/Refrigerated <5 days

 

Acceptable:

Specimen Type: Unpreserved feces

Supplies:

-Stool container, Small (Random), 4 oz Random (T288)

-Stool Collection Kit, Random (T635)

Container/Tube: Fecal container

Specimen Volume: Representative portion of feces

Collection Instructions: Collect fresh fecal specimen and submit representative sample in fecal container.

Specimen Stability Information: Refrigerated (preferred) <5 days/Frozen <5 days


Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following with the specimen:

-Microbiology Test Request (T244)

-Gastroenterology and Hepatology Test Request (T728)

Useful For

Sensitive, specific, and rapid diagnosis of Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis

 

The test is not recommended as a test of cure.

Method Name

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)/Reverse Transcription-(RT) PCR

Reporting Name

C. difficile Toxin, PCR, F

Specimen Type

Fecal

Specimen Minimum Volume

See Specimen Required

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Fecal Varies 5 days

Reference Values

Negative

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Report Available

Same day/1 day

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
CDPCR C. difficile Toxin, PCR, F 54067-4

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
TCDRR C. difficile Toxin, PCR 54067-4

CPT Code Information

87493

Testing Algorithm

For more information see Laboratory Testing for Infectious Causes of Diarrhea.