Molecular detection of toxigenic Clostridioides difficile
Microbiology
Bacteriology
Molecular detection of toxigenic Clostridioides difficile
Other Information
○ Stool collected in Enteric Transport Medium or SAF fixative is not suitable for this assay. Stool should not be contaminated with urine, toilet paper, or toilet water.
○ Patients should be passing more than 5 soft or liquid stools within a 24 hour period. Testing of formed stool is not indicated.
○ Testing should not be performed on infants < 1 year old because of high rate of asymptomatic carriage
○ A second test within 7 days does not significantly increase the sensitivity or change the negative likelihood ratio. Please contact the microbiologist on call to discuss testing if patient has new, ongoing or worsening signs/symptoms since the last test that may suggest C. difficile infection
○ Toxin testing should NOT be repeated within 15 days of the positive test unless the patient has received a full 14 day treatment course and has developed recurrent signs/symptoms of C. difficile.
○ Repeat C.difficile toxin testing is not indicated in patients who have clinically responded to therapy
○ Stool: sterile, leakproof container (Starplex) ○ Rectal swab: sterile swab in Amies transport medium (eSwab)
Stool: ○ Collect 10-30 mL of watery, diarrheal stool (preferred) in sterile container. Transport to the laboratory immediately after collection
Rectal swab: ○ Collect the specimen with a sterile swab inserted approximately one inch beyond the anal sphincter and place it in Amies transport medium.
Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery
In-house
○ Up to 3h
416-586-4800 extension 4471
NO; unless specimen submitted would be a repeat test
○ Label specimen container. Place specimens in biohazard bag and seal.
○ Transport specimens to the UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory at room temperature (20-25˚C) ASAP after collection, hold at refrigeration temperature (2-8˚C) if a delay in transport of more than 8h is anticipated