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Stool
Specimen Collection
for Rotavirus and Clostridium Testing
I. General Information
Pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) related
to antimicrobial therapy is caused primarily by Clostridium
difficile toxin. C. difficile may also be involved
in a similar disease not related to antimicrobial therapy but following
the use of methotrexate and other cytotoxic agents, in exacerbations
of inflammatory bowel disease, and in complications of strangulation
obstruction of the bowel. The C. difficile PCR assay is
a rapid method for the detection of C. difficile toxin
B gene DNA in human fecal samples, to be used as an aid in the
detection of C. difficile-associated disease.
Rotavirus is a major cause of acute
gastroenteritis, especially in children 6 to 24 months of age.
In addition, rotavirus infections can produce severe illness as
well as asymptomatic infection in adults. The incubation period
of rotavirus infection is usually 1-3 days followed by gastroenteritis
with an average duration of 5-8 days. Virus titers are highest
shortly after the onset of illness. Rotavirus EIA is a rapid method
for detecting rotavirus in stools.
II. Collection of Specimens
- C. difficile - Stool/feces:
Collect a minimum of 2 ml of stool sample in an appropriately labeled sterile
container. Specimens should be liquid or soft. (Formed, hardened
stool specimens are not acceptable.)
Store and transport to the laboratory at 2-8°C (2-25°C
is acceptable).
- Rotavirus - Stool/Feces: Collect
a minimum of 2 ml of stool sample in an appropriately labeled sterile
container. Store and transport to the laboratory at 2-8°C.
Reviewed: 5/2/2007 |
