Ordering Recommendation

Reference method for diagnosis of Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile-associated diarrhea (turnaround time ≥96 hours). Preferred initial test is Clostridium difficile toxin B gene (tcdB) by PCR ​(2002838).

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Stool or Tissue

Specimen Preparation

Stool: Transfer 5 mL stool to an unpreserved stool transport vial (ARUP supply #40910) OR place 5 mL stool in enteric transport media (Cary-Blair) (ARUP supply #29799). (Min: 1 mL) Available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect™ or contact ARUP Client Services at (800) 522-2787.
Tissue: Transfer specimen immediately into anaerobe transport media (ARUP supply #16426), available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect™ or contact ARUP Client Services at (800) 522-2787.

Storage/Transport Temperature

Stool: Frozen. Tissue: Room Temperature.

Unacceptable Conditions

Multiple specimens (more than one in 24 hours), formed stools, or stool in PVA or formalin.

Remarks
Stability

Unpreserved or preserved Stool: Ambient: 2 hours; Refrigerated: 48 hours; Frozen: 1 week. Tissue: Ambient: 48 hours; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Frozen: Unacceptable.

Methodology

Culture/Identification

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

1-4 days
Negative culture reported at 4 days.  Positive culture reported as soon as detected.

Reference Interval

Culture negative for Clostridium difficile.

Interpretive Data



Compliance Category

Standard

Note

For routine stool screening, refer to Clostridium difficile toxin B gene (tcdB) by PCR (ARUP test code 2002838).
If Clostridium difficile culture is positive, then Clostridium difficile Cytotoxin Cell Assay will be added. Additional charges apply.

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

87075; if positive add 87076; if reflexed add 87230

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0060140 Culture, Clostridium difficile 562-9
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • C. diff culture
  • C. difficile Culture
  • Clostridioides difficile
  • Culture, Clostridium difficile
Clostridium difficile Culture with Reflex to Cytotoxin Cell Assay