Ordering Recommendation

Not the preferred initial test for diagnosis of Clostridium difficile; refer to institutional policies and guidelines for C. difficile testing to support test selection. Preferred initial testing for C. difficile may be Clostridium difficile toxin B gene (tcdB) by PCR (2002838) or a glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and/or toxin detection test performed as part of an institutionally determined algorithm.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Stool.

Specimen Preparation

Transfer 1 mL stool to an unpreserved stool transport vial (ARUP supply #40910). Available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect™ or contact ARUP Client Services at (800) 522-2787. (Min: 0.5 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Specimens in preservatives. Specimens submitted on swabs.

Remarks
Stability

Ambient: 2 hours; Refrigerated: 72 hours; Frozen at -20°C: 72 hours; Frozen at -70°C: 1 week

Methodology

Cell Culture/Neutralization

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

2-5 days

Reference Interval

Negative - No C. difficile cytotoxin detected.

Interpretive Data



Compliance Category

FDA

Note

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

87230

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0060858 C. difficile Cytotoxin Cell Assay 6362-8
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • c diff
  • C. difficle cytotoxin cell assay
  • Clostridioides difficile
  • Clostridium difficile Cytotoxin Antibody, Neutralization
  • Clostridium difficile Toxin B Cytotoxin Assay
  • cytotoxin cell test
Clostridium difficile Cytotoxin Cell Assay