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Test Code LAB253 Clostridium difficile Toxin, Gene, PCR

Additional Codes

48543

Reporting Title

C. difficile Toxin PCR

Methodology

Cepheid, GeneXpert

Performing Laboratory

OhioHealth Laboratory Services-RMH Microbiology

Specimen Requirements

 

Acceptable:

Specimen Type: Unformed Stool Unpreserved or fresh

Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL

 

Rejected specimens: Formed stool and specimens on swabs

 

Frequency of testing: Once during a diarrhea episode (due to the high senditivity and specificity of the assay)

 

When to repeat test:

1. Initial test was positive and patient improved with therapy, but now has clinical relapse

2. Initial test was negative, now patient has a new epidsode of diarrhea.

Specimen Transport Temperature

Ambient (preferred) 24 hrs/Refrigerated 5 days

Reference Values

Negative

 

The assay consists of two probes; the first probe detects

the toxigenic C. difficile tcdB.  The second probe is for presumptive detection of the hyper-virulent strain known as 027/NAP/B1.  this analyte is for epidemiology purposes only and should not be used to determine or monitor treatment.

Critical value: Positive

Alerting category: Always called within 1 hour

 

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Test Classification and CPT Coding

CPT Code:

87493