Clostridioides difficile

TEST NAME Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile
DISEASE/DISORDER Colitis, pseudomembrane colitis
ALTERNATE NAME(S) C. difficile, C.diff, Antibiotic-associated diarrhea, Antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis
METHODOLOGY Culture
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

CEDEP approval required prior to isolate submission.
ORDERING INFORMATION TDH DLS Requisition:  PH-4182 Clinical Submission Requisition

Specimen Requirements

Patient Preparation
  • None
Specimen Collection
  • Stool: 

- C&S Culture Transport Media (i.e. ParaPak)

- Semisolid or liquid transport media (i.e. Cary Blair or Amies)

- Commercially available enteric transport medium  

  • Isolate:

- Media that maintains anaerobic conditions (i.e. chopped meat broth, thioglycolate broth)

- Commercially available anaerobic transport media/system
Specimen Labeling
  • Specimen must be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers and match accompanying PH-4182 Clinical Submission Requisition.
Specimen Processing
  • None
Specimen Storage and Preservation
  • Stool specimens and isolates should be stored at ambient conditions.
Specimen Transport
  • Ship stool specimens and isolates in ambient conditions.
  • All infectious substance shipments must conform to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR 49 C.F.R. Parts 171-180). 
Specimen Acceptability and Rejection
  • Formed feces for Clostridioides difficile is not clinically indicated 
  • Specimens that do not adhere to all specimen requirements will be rejected.
Testing Location
  • Nashville

This Page Last Updated: September 16, 2025 at 9:55 PM