How do you interpret C. diff results?
A negative test result for the C. difficile toxin gene likely indicates that the person’s diarrhea and related symptoms are not due to toxin-producing C. difficile. Negative test results for both the bacteria and the toxin may mean that the diarrhea and other symptoms are being caused by something other than C.
How do you store C. diff specimen?
Collect specimen in clean, watertight container.
- Transport media is not necessary and may increase false positive results.
- Transport specimens as soon as possible and store at 2 – 8 °C until tested.
- Storage at room temperature may decrease the sensitivity of some tests, possibly due to toxin inactivation.
Will I always test positive for C. diff?
diff PCR is a highly sensitive test (90%). In fact, it is so sensitive that it may be positive and detect the C. diff toxin gene even when the gene is not actively producing toxin. This results in many patients who have a positive test and do not have C.
What does a positive C. diff test mean?
What does the test result mean? If tests for C. difficile toxin gene and C. difficile toxin are positive, it is likely that the person’s diarrhea and related symptoms are due to the presence of toxin-producing C. difficile.
How long test positive for C. diff?
However, only symptomatic patients should be tested. Furthermore, studies have shown that C. difficile tests may remain positive for as long as 30 days after symptoms have resolved. False positive “test-of-cure” specimens may complicate clinical care and result in additional courses of inappropriate anti–C.
What container would we send a faeces specimen for C diff?
The stool should be collected into a clean, dry plastic jar with a screw-cap lid. For best results, the stool should be brought to the lab right away because C. difficile toxins break down quickly at room temperature, making them difficult to detect.
How long can you refrigerate stool sample for C diff?
Refrigerate container with blue cap (C. difficile) if transport to collection station is delayed more than 1 hour. Specimen is stable for up to 3 days if refrigerated.
How accurate are stool tests for C. diff?
Accuracy of Diagnostic Methods difficile toxin assay and culture for C. difficile were 87.2% (102 cases; 95% CI, 80.7%–92.8%), 48.7% (57 cases; 95% CI, 41.0%–59.8%), and 65.0% (76 cases; 95% CI, 60.2%–78.5%), respectively.