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HelpTest Code SPCRCD Clostridium difficile rPCR with reflex Toxin A/B LAB2162
Test Method
Rapid Polymerase Chain Reaction (rPCR)
Reflex test: Horizontal flow enzyme immunoassay (EIA)
Performance
Testing is performed Monday through Sunday.
Typically completed within 2 hours after the specimen arrives
at
the testing site.
Specimen Requirement
Unformed stool collected in a sterile container is
recommended.
Formed stool specimens will be rejected.
Specimens should be refrigerated after collection. Specimens
are
stable for up to 4 days when stored at 2-8 C.
Do not accept
specimens from inpatients after the third hospital day with
prior
consultation with ordering provider and/or pathologist.
Useful For
Sensitive, specific, and rapid diagnosis of Clostridium
difficile-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous
colitis.
Recommend testing on patients with clinically significant
diarrhea and a history of antibiotic exposure.
Reference Values
Toxigenic C. difficile: Negative
Toxigenic C. difficile 027 Strain: Negative
Positive results are called to the nursing station or
physician’s
office.
Positive test results for Clostridium difficile do not
correlate
well with disease in young children.
The PCR test will be performed as an initial screening test.
PCR negative specimens will be reported as negative for C.
difficile.
PCR positive specimens will reflexively be tested for C.
difficile Toxin A/B.
CPT Code Information
87493 Detection of Infectious Agents by Probe Techniques;
Clostridium difficile, toxin gene(s), amplified probe technique
87324 Clostridium difficile Toxins A and B, EIA
LOINC Code Information
54067-4 Clostridium difficile Toxin Genes [Presence] In Stool
By
Probe And Target Amplification Method