| Specimen Type | Specimen Stability | Reference Range |
| Stool | 48 Hours at Room Temperature; 5 Days Refrigerated | See Report |
Specimen RequirementsPreferred amount: 25 ul of unformed samples indicative of CDAD Stool samples, unpreserved: Acceptable stool samples for testing are liquid or soft samples. Specimens may be stored up to 5 days (120 hours) at 2-8°C before testing. Specimens that can be tested within 24 hours can be maintained at room temperature (18-25°C). If needed, specimens may be frozen once at </= -20°C prior to exceeding the room temperature or 2-8°C time windows or they may not be used. Specimen Type:Stool |
Method
Real-time PCR
|
Schedule
Monday – Friday
|
Instructions/Notes
For a complete list of assay limitations, we recommend that you review the manufacturer’s package insert: https://www.bd.com/resource.aspx?IDX=27202
|
Clinical Utility
C. difficile Toxin B Gene, performed by Real-Time PCR, is testing for the gene segment that is positive in toxigenic C. difficile. Testing should be limited to patients that exhibit the clinical symptoms of CDI (watery or loose diarrhea three times a day or more) and that have risk factors for CDI, such as recent or current antibiotic therapy, and concomitant illnesses. Two distinct groups have been identified that can harbor C. difficile at very high rates. Colonization at rates up to 50% and higher have been reported in infants and rates up to 32% in cystic fibrosis patients.
|
CPT Codes
87493
|