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HelpTest Code CDIFS Clostridioides difficile Culture with Antimicrobial Susceptibilities, Varies
Ordering Guidance
Culture is not the preferred diagnostic test for Clostridioides difficile. For routine diagnostic testing, order CDPCR / Clostridioides difficile Toxin, PCR, Feces
Shipping Instructions
Necessary Information
Specimen source is required.
Specimen Required
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Patient Preparation: Patient should not use antacids, barium, bismuth, antidiarrheal medication, zinc oxide paste, Vagisil cream or oily laxatives prior to specimen collection.
Preferred:
Specimen Type: Preserved feces
Supplies: Culture and Sensitivity Stool Transport Vial (T058); Stool Collection Kit, Random (T635)
Container/Tube: Commercially available transport system specific for recovery of enteric pathogens from fecal specimens (15 mL of non-nutritive transport medium containing phenol red as a pH indicator, either Cary-Blair or Para-Pak C and S [T058])
Specimen Volume: Representative portion of feces; 5 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect 1 gram or 5 mL fresh fecal specimen and submit in container with transport medium.
2. Place feces in preservative within 2 hours of collection.
Additional Information: Only diarrheal (ie., unformed) feces should be tested. Testing formed feces for C difficile is not clinically indicated.
Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred) 96 hours/Refrigerated 96 hours/Frozen 7 days
Acceptable:
Specimen Type: Unpreserved feces
Supplies: Stool container, Small (Random), 4 oz (T288); Stool Collection Kit, Random (T635)
Specimen Volume: Representative portion of stool
Collection Instructions: Collect fresh stool and submit representative sample in stool container.
Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred) 72 hours/Frozen 7 days
Additional Information: Only diarrheal (i.e., unformed) stool should be tested. Testing formed stool for C difficile is not clinically indicated.
Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred) 72 hours/Frozen 7 days
Specimen Type: Fresh tissue or biopsy
Sources: Colon
Supplies: Anaerobe Transport Tube (T588)
Specimen Volume: Entire collection, 1-2 cm(3)
Collection Instructions: Aseptically collect a 1-2 cm(3) piece of tissue whenever possible. In general, a larger piece of tissue is preferred. Submit in an anaerobic transport tube.
Specimen Stability Information: Ambient 72 hours
Reflex Tests
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANAID | Anaerobe Ident | No, (Bill Only) | No |
| RMALA | Id MALDI-TOF Mass Spec Anaerobe | No, (Bill Only) | No |
| ISAN | Anaerobe Ident by Sequencing | No, (Bill Only) | No |
| SANA | Anaerobe Suscep per agent | No, (Bill Only) | No |
| BATTA | Anaerobe Suscep Battery | No, (Bill Only) | No |
Specimen Type
VariesSpecimen Minimum Volume
Stool: 1 gram or 5 mL
Tissue: 5 mm(3)
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varies | Varies | ||
Reject Due To
| Fecal swab Specimen in Ecofix |
Reject |
Reference Values
No growth of Clostridioides difficile.
Susceptibility results are reported as minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) in mcg/mL. Breakpoints (also known as clinical breakpoints) are used to categorize an organism as susceptible, susceptible-dose dependent, intermediate, resistant, or nonsusceptible according to breakpoint setting organizations, either the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) or the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST), as applicable.
In some instances, an interpretive category cannot be provided based on available data; therefore, the following comment will be included on the report: There are no established interpretive guidelines for agents reported without interpretations.
For information regarding CLSI and EUCAST susceptibility interpretations, see Susceptibility Interpretative Category Definitions.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
2 to 9 daysSpecimen Retention Time
7 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
CPT Code Information
87081-C. difficile Culture
87076-Anaerobe Ident (if appropriate)
87076-Id MALDI-TOF Mass Spec Anaerobe (if appropriate)
87153-Anaerobe Ident by Sequencing (if appropriate)
87181-Anaerobe Susceptibility per agent (if appropriate)
87181 x 3-Antimicrobial Susceptibility, Anaerobic Bacteria, MIC (if appropriate)