Tests to detect Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) and its toxins are used to diagnose diarrhea and other conditions and complications caused by toxin-producing C. difficile. (See the "What is being tested/" section for more on these bacteria.) Conditions resulting from this bacterial infection include pseudomembranous colitis, in which dead tissue, fibrous protein, and numerous white blood cells form a lining over the surface of the inflamed bowel, toxic megacolon, and perforated bowel. Testing may also be ordered to detect recurrent disease.There are a number of tests that are available to detect the infection and to determine if the strain that is present produces toxin. Some tests are very sensitive but take some days to complete, while other tests are rapid (several hours) but are not considered to be very sensitive or specific. The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) have proposed a two-step testing process. This recommendation was part of a 21 guideline that is currently (214) under review. The two-step process includes:Perform an initial screen on stool samples using a test for a C. difficile antigen called glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH). This test detects an antigen that is produced in high amounts by C. difficile, both toxin and non-toxin producing strains. It is considered to be very sensitive, but it is not very specific for toxin-producing C. difficile. This test indicates if C. difficile is present but not if the bacteria are producing toxins.
Sample Type - Stool
Reporting Time - 48 Hrs
Prerequisites - No special preparation required
Price - ₹2670/-
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