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The stool C. difficile toxin test detects harmful substances produced by the bacterium Clostridium difficile(C. difficile) in a stool sample. This infection is a common cause of diarrhea after antibiotic use.
How the test is performedA sample of a stool is submitted for laboratory analysis. There are several methods used to detect C. difficile toxin in the stool specimen.
Today, an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) is most often used to detect substances produced by the bacteria. The EIA is faster than previous culture tests, simpler to perform, and results are available in about an hour. However, it is slightly less sensitive than previous methods. Several stool samples may be needed to get an accurate result.
How to prepare for the testThere are many ways to collect the samples. You can catch the stool on plastic wrap that is loosely placed over the toilet bowl and held in place by the toilet seat. Then you put the sample in a clean container. One test kit supplies a special toilet tissue that you use to collect the sample. After collecting the sample, you put it in a container.
Do not mix urine, water, or toilet tissue with the sample.
For children wearing diapers, you can line the diaper with plastic wrap. If the plastic wrap is positioned properly, it will prevent urine and stool from mixing to provide a better sample.
How the test will feelThere is no discomfort.
Why the test is performedYou may have this test if your doctor suspects that diarrhea is caused by recent antibiotic use. Antibiotics change the balance of bacteria in the colon. This sometimes leads to too much growth of C. difficile.
Diarrhea caused by C. difficile after antibiotic use often occurs in hospitalized patients. It also can occur in people who have not recently taken antibiotics.
Normal ValuesNo C. difficile toxin is detected.
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanAbnormal results mean that C. difficile toxins are likely present in the stool and are causing diarrhea.
What the risks areThere are no risks associated with testing for C. difficile toxin.
Special considerationsSince the test for C. difficile toxin is not 100% sensitive, several stool samples may be needed to detect it.
ReferencesBartlett JG. Clostridial infections. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 319.
Thielman NM, Wilson KH. Antibiotic-associated colitis. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 96.
What else can I help you with?
Does freezing temperatures kill c diff spores?
Freezing temperatures do not typically kill C. difficile spores. These spores are hardy and can survive in various environments, including cold temperatures. Proper disinfection methods using bleach or other suitable agents are needed to effectively kill C. difficile spores.
How do you spell toxic?
That is the correct spelling of the word "toxic" (poisonous).
How deadly is ricin?
Ricin is reported to be one of the most deadly toxins known to man, and amounts in the micrograms can be fatal. It is theorised that if one molceule of ricin enters a cell in the body, it can shut down protein synthesis and destroy the cell entirely.The slightly worry prospect is that it does not seem very difficult to get hold of or produce naturally and if it was to enter say a water supply in a hydrostable state, 1 part per a few million of the water would make it deadly to humansA different opinion...Ricin, a product of castor beans, in indeed a serious toxin, but I don't think I'd go as far as saying it's one of the deadliest known to man (that's where I'd out cesium plutonium, botulina toxin, &c.). The LD 50 for humans is 22mcg/Kg, which is a Lot more than one molecule of toxin. This toxin does not survive the treatment potable water gets in water treatment plants, and as such is not a serious NBC threat.
What is the chemical equation when 1-Bromooctane reacts with Sodium cyanide?
It should be a substitution reaction: C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-Br+NaCN----→C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-CN+NaBr
Four isomers of dichloropropane?
The four isomers of the compound dichloropropane are 1,1-dichloropropane, 1,2-dichloropropane, 1,3-dichloropropane and 2,2-dichloropropane. The chemical formula for dichloropropane is C3H6Cl2.
What is the scientific name for C-diff?
The scientific name for C-diff is Clostridium difficile.
Is c. difficile gram positive?
No, Clostridium difficile is a gram-positive bacterium.
How long is c difficile contagious?
C. difficile can be contagious for as long as a person is shedding the bacteria in their stool, which can range from a few days to several weeks. It is important to practice good hygiene, such as thorough handwashing, to prevent the spread of the infection.
What are the causes of cidiff how can you treat this?
When people say "C. diff" (pronounced "see diff"), they mean an infection by the Clostridium difficile bacterium. Many people carry this bacterium in their GI tract normally. However, if these people take antibiotics, C. difficile can tough it out while other bacteria are killed. A bit later, C. difficile can overgrow and become a real problem. Clindamycin is the antibiotic that is most associated with C. difficile infection, but almost any antibiotic can trigger it, including penicillins. Rarely, C. difficile infection can occur without antibiotic use. Staying in a hospital increases one's risk of developing C. difficile infection. Treatment of C. difficile involves discontinuing the previous antibiotic and giving specific antibiotics that kill C. difficile. Antibiotics effective against C. difficile include vancomycin (taken orally) and metronidazole. Hope that helped!
What Bacteria beginning with c or k?
Clostridium difficile?
What is bacterium clostridium?
Bacterium Clostridium is a class of bacteria that are rod-shaped and of which there are approximately 100 species. Five of these species can affect humans, and include C. botulinum, C. difficile, C. perfringens, C.tetani and C. sordellii.
Can C. difficile come back in 6 months?
It would seem possible, yes. However, it's impossible to provide an accurate timescale.Clostridium difficile (often called "C. diff" colloquially) is a normal inhabitant of the gut flora in many individuals. In most of these individuals, the growth of C. difficile is kept in check by other bacteria in the gut who compete for the same nutrients as C. difficile. C. difficile can become a problem with broad-spectrum antibiotic use (particularly ampicillin and clindamycin). Since many inhabitants of the gut are susceptible to these antibiotics, these natural flora will be destroyed. But C. difficile is resistant to a wide variety of antibiotics, and when the rest of the natural flora disappears in the presence of these antibiotics, the overgrowth of C. difficile ensues and the bug has its way with the gastrointestinal system. This is accomplished by the synthesis of various toxins that induce an inflammatory reaction called pseudomembranous colitis.Treatment is usually with metronidazole, which kills C. difficile so the rest of the normal gut flora can regenerate. Eventually, the gut flora will reestablish itself, with C. difficile potentially being a part of the normal flora once again. I'm not sure anyone has studied how long it takes for C. difficile to return in these individuals. But it is definitely possible that in these folks, a subsequent round of antibiotics can induce another bout of pseudomembranous colitis due to C. difficile overgrowth. Whether it can happen within six months of a previous episode is unknown, but seems theoretically possible given the rapidity of bacterial growth.
What is cedeficile?
Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a type of bacteria that can cause symptoms ranging from diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation of the colon. It is often associated with healthcare settings and can be transmitted through spores on surfaces or through fecal-oral contact. Treatment typically involves antibiotics targeted at the bacteria.
Does clostridium difficile have motility?
The vast majority of members of genus Clostridia are motile. C. difficile was shown to be motile intestinal pathogen of human and animals- a consequence of possessing flagella.
What does the medical abbreviation C diff mean?
C diff is short for Clostridium difficile, a bacterium that causes diarrheal illness, often associated with recent antibiotic use.Clostridium difficile. as manifest by diahrrhea to the tenth power...
What is Cd if?
C. diff is clostridium difficile. It is a type of bacteria that can cause diarrhea and an infection of the colon.
Where can one learn more about c difficile colitis?
There are many websites with information on clostridium difficile colitis. Wikipedia is one, but there are some medical based websites such as WebMD which may be a little more helpful.
