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TEST ID CDIFFEIA CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE (CDIF) GDH ANTIGEN AND TOXIN SCREEN

Important Note

Rapid test for the detection of C. difficile antigen (glutamate dehydrogenase) and confirms the presence of toxigenic C. difficile by detecting toxins A and B in stool from persons suspected of having C. difficile disease.  

 

Testing will not be performed on patients <1 year old due to the high number of asymptomatic colonization

Specimen must not be contaminated with urine.

Testing will not be performed if negative results within 7 days

Testing will not be performed if positive results within 30 days

Please note:  Specimens submitted that are non-liquid will be rejected

**Stool samples that are diluted, such as colon aspirates will be rejected**

Infectious

Performing Laboratory

NRLS-Microbiology

Specimen Type

Unpreserved, liquid stool

 

Specimen Required

Preferred: Stool collection cup or screw capped container submitted to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection

  • May accept specimens up to 72 hours after collection, if refrigerated

Specimen Volume: 5 grams

Collection Instructions:

Submit 5 g (minimum volume: 1 g) of fresh, unpreserved stool in a stool collection cup or a screw-capped container.
 

*Collect stool from diaper lined with plastic. If infant or child has diarrhea, line the diaper with plastic wrap or use a pediatric urine bag placed over the rectum to collect a specimen that is not contaminated with urine.

CAUTION:  Never leave plastic wrap against a child's skin for more than 30 minutes at a time.

 

-Label cup with patient name (first and last) or other unique identifier, patient hospital
identification number,  date and time of collection, collector initials, and test(s) being
ordered.
-Promptly forward specimen to laboratory at ambient temperature.

Specimen Minimum Volume

1.0 g

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type

Temperature

Time
Stool, unpreserved Refrigerated (preferred) 72 hours
  Frozen (<-10C) Indefinite
     

Reflex Testing

**If the C.difficile antigen is positive and toxin is negative, a C.difficile PCR assay will be performed**

 

Reporting Name

Available Separately

Always performed

CDIFPCR

No

No

Reference Values

An interpretive report will be provided

Day(s) Performed

Sunday through Saturday

Report Available

Within 24 hours

Methodology

Enzyme Immunoassay