Stool C difficile toxin

A stool sample is needed. It is sent to a lab to be analyzed. There are several ways to detect C difficile toxin in the stool sample. Enzyme immunoassay ( EIA ) was used most often in the past to detect substances produced by the bacteria. This test is faster than older tests, and simpler to perform. The results are…

There 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. A test kit is available that supplies a special toilet tissue or plastic cover for the back of the toilet…

You may have this test if your health care provider thinks that your diarrhea is caused by the antibiotic medicines you have taken recently. 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…

No C difficile toxin is detected. Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

Abnormal results mean that toxins produced by C difficile are seen in the stool and are causing diarrhea.

There are no risks associated with testing for C difficile toxin.

Several stool samples may be needed to detect the condition. This is particularly true if the older EIA for toxin test is used.

Galloway DP, Cohen MB. Clostridioides difficile infection. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 258. Gerding DN, Young VB, Donskey CJ. Clostridioides difficile (formerly Clostridium difficile) infection. In: Bennett JE, Dolin…