Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Only liquid/unformed stools are acceptable

Container/Tube:

     Place liquid or soft stool specimen in a sterile cup/container with a secure lid. 

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL  
Specimen Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions:

Pass liquid or soft (assumes shape of container) stool directly into a clean, dry container.

Additional Information:

1. Patient should be passing ≥5 stools per 24 hours with liquid or soft consistency.

2. Submit only 1 specimen per 7 days.

3. If a patient is positive for C. difficile no additional specimens will be accepted for 10 days.

4. This assay is not approved to test for cure since nucleic acids may persist after effective treatment.  

5. Up to 50% of neonates may be colonized with toxigenic C. difficile.  Testing of children less than 1 year of age is not recommended.