Clostridium Difficile (C. Diff) Stool Test
Clostridium difficile (commonly called C. difficile or C. diff) is a type of bacteria whose overgrowth from antibiotic use is associated with diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. The C. diff toxin test identifies the presence of this bacteria and the gene associated with toxin production. C. diff is present as normal flora in the digestive tract, but when broad-spectrum antibiotics are used to treat infections, typically for an extended period of time, the balance of the normal flora is disrupted and the overgrowth of clostridium difficile is allowed to occur.
The growth of C. difficile can lead to damage of the gastrointestinal lining. The resulting symptoms can range from mild diarrhea to a more severe toxic megacolon. C. difficile is the primary cause for psuedomembraneous colitis.