Clostridium difficile Culture with Reflex to Cytotoxin Cell Assay

Use

This test serves as a reference method for the diagnosis of Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile-associated diarrhea. It provides culture identification of Clostridium difficile, followed by a cytotoxin cell assay if the culture result is positive. Although not the initial recommended test, it serves as a confirmatory method with a turnaround time of four days for negative results and sooner for positive identification. Culture methods can help identify the presence of the organism, which may not always produce toxin, thereby assisting in diagnosing antibiotic-associated colitis and healthcare-associated diarrhea.