As of September 2016 the microbiology lab will abandon routine Clostridium difficile PCR testing and adopt the C. diff Quik Chek Complete® EIA test
The C. diff Quik Chek Complete® EIA test utilizes antibodies to detect glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) (also known as the antigen common to both toxigenic and non-toxigenic C. diff) and Toxins A/B
C. diff Quik Chek Complete® EIA Test
GDH or Ag will be positive if C. diff (toxigenic or non-toxigenic) is present
Toxin A/B will be positive when toxigenic C. diff is actively producing toxin
General Interpretation of Results:
Ag(+)/Toxin(+) = C. difficile Infection
Ag(-)/Toxin(-) = Absence of C. difficile Infection
Ag(+)/Toxin(-) = C. difficile carrier status
Ag(+)/Toxin(-) specimens will be held by microlab for 48hrs should a provider wish to call and request a PCR test
Guidelines