Faeces for Clostridium difficile toxin (stool cdt c.diff diarrhoea)
Microbiology
Notes
The information given here is intended for use by healthcare professionals. Please see Lab Tests Online-UK for more general advice, links and background.
Testing for Clostridium difficile toxin is done according to national guidance. This states that testing should only be done on liquid or loose stools - i.e. those that conform to the shape of the container.
Samples from patients over 65 years of age are routinely tested for Clostridium difficile toxin
Diarrhoeal samples from patients between the ages of 2 and 65 years are selectively tested for Clostridium difficile toxin according to local policy
Samples from patients under the age of 2 years are not tested
Repeat testing for Clostridium difficile toxin is not generally necessary within 5 days of a negative test or 28 days of a positive result
See also:
Sample requirements
Do not contaminate with urine
For liquid stools do not fill pot more than half full
Required information
- Underlying bowel disease
- Current or recent antibiotic therapy covering the previous 4 weeks
- Known recent hospitalisation
Storage/transport
Transport without delay
Turnaround time
Within 24 hours of receipt
Positive results are routinely communicated by the Infection Control Team or a Consultant Microbiologist