Wednesday August 22, 2007
Writing orders to check stool for C. diff.

Whenever Clostridium difficile is suspected in a patient, send 2 or 3 samples apart to check for toxins. There are different methods / kits to check for C. diff. toxins in stool and many test kits have lower sensitivity. Sending multiple samples enhance the sensitivity of results.OR request to run stool for both Toxin A and B of clostridium difficile.If stool test continue to remains negative despite high clinical suspicion, ask specifically for culture of Clostridium difficile. The organism does not grow on standard media and thus the laboratory must be informed that Clostridium difficile is suspected.

Remember ! Alcohol doen't kill C.diff. spores so washing with soap and water should be done after examining patient with C. Diff.

Related previous pearls:

Stool donation as C. Diff treatment

Fluoroquinolone induce strain of C. Diff.