Clostridioides difficile Culture with Antimicrobial Susceptibilities, Varies
Use
This test provides definitive evidence of the presence of the bacterium Clostridioides difficile in feces by isolating it for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. It is useful for directing antimicrobial therapy of extraluminal infections and in cases of treatment failure. C. difficile infection should be suspected in patients with symptoms of diarrhea, along with risk factors like recent antibiotic use or hospitalization. However, it's not recommended for routine diagnostic purposes, instead, it provides an isolate suitable for susceptibility testing, especially in failed treatments.
Special Instructions
This test includes reflex testing; susceptibility testing on C. difficile isolates is automatically performed and billed if initially ordered. Patient preparation involves avoiding use of antacids, barium, and certain medications before specimen collection. Testing is advised only on diarrheal (unformed) feces or fresh tissue biopsy. Ensure to provide the specimen source when ordering and note that repeated testing during a single diarrhea episode is not recommended.
Limitations
This test does not differentiate between toxin-producing and nontoxigenic strains of C. difficile. Routine susceptibility testing of intestinal infection isolates is not advised unless treatment fails. In vitro susceptibility does not guarantee clinical response, so the decision to treat with a particular agent should involve clinical specialists. Testing of asymptomatic patients is discouraged. The test has not been validated for specimens collected by certain methods like colostomy or colonoscopy.
FDA ApprovedNew York Approved
Methodology
Culture-based
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 105047-5
- 105047-5
Result Turnaround Time
2-9 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Stool
Volume
5 mL
Minimum Volume
5 mL
Container
Commercially available transport system specific for recovery of enteric pathogens (e.g., Cary-Blair or Para-Pak C and S)
Collection Instructions
Collect fresh feces and submit 1 gram or 5 mL in container with transport medium. Place feces in preservative within 2 hours of collection.
Patient Preparation
Patient should not use antacids, barium, bismuth, antidiarrheal medication, or oily substances prior to collection.
Causes for Rejection
Fecal swab
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 96 hours |
| Refrigerated | 96 hours |
| Frozen | 7 days |