C. Diff (Clostridium Difficile)

Preferred Specimen

Collect unformed stool specimen in a sterile container

Transport Container

Plastic Tube

Stability

  • 2-30°C for 2 days
  • 2-8°C for 7 days
  • -20C for 60 days.

Methodology

Automated sample preparation to extract nucleic acids from the unformed stool specimens; (2) PCR amplification of target DNA sequences using C. difficile specific primers, and real-time detection of cleaved fluorescent-labeled C. difficile specific oligonucleotide detection probes

Clinical Significance

Utilizes real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), for the direct detection of the toxin B (tcdB) gene of toxigenic Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) in unformed (liquid or soft) stool specimens obtained from patients suspected of having C. difficile infection (CDI). The Cdiff Test is intended for use as an aid in the diagnosis of CDI in humans in conjunction with clinical and epidemiological risk factors.