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Test Code: CDNAA Preferred Name Faeces C.difficile toxin

Results Avail After Hours:No

Urgent:5 hours

Test Frequency:Daily

Routine:< 12 hours

MBS Status:Medicare Item

Min. Re-Test Interval:N/A

Public price:

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Test Tubes

Image	Specimen Type	Specimen Volume	Tube Type
	Faeces	5 - 10 mL	Faeces container (white or brown lid)

COLLECTION NOTES

1. Pass faeces directly into a clean, dry container keeping separate from urine.
2. Send only liquid or soft stools for Clostridium difficle toxin assay (see general notes).
2. Rectal swab not recommended for toxin testing.

GENERAL NOTES

1. In C.difficile disease, patients pass around 5 liquid/soft stools per 24 hours.
2. Testing of formed or hard stools is misleading as asymptomatic carriage may be detected.
3. Freezing at -20°C causes rapid loss of cytotoxin activity.
PCR testing is performed Monday to Saturday. Samples received before 11 am will be tested on the same day, if received after 11am samples will be tested on the next testing day. If PCR testing is required urgently out-of-hours, please contact the microbiology laboratory on 3163-8168 and a rapid EIA can be performed.