C.difficile (C.diff) - Diagnosing Clostridium difficile infection

Clostridium difficile infection is usually first diagnosed based on your symptoms and whether or not you have been taking antibiotics.

If necessary, diagnosis can be confirmed by carrying out laboratory tests on a sample of the infected person's faeces.

If a C. difficile infection is present, the test will show C. difficile toxins in the faeces sample.

Blood test

The number of white blood cells in your blood may also be measured in a blood test.

A very high level of white blood cells would usually indicate a more severe form of C. difficile infection, which could have implications for your treatment.

Blood tests can also detect mineral imbalances that can occur in the blood as a result of dehydration.

Colon (bowel) examination

If your symptoms suggest you may have complications affecting your colon, it may need to be examined. This can be done either:

• directly – by placing a flexible tube containing a camera and a light source up into your rectum (bottom) and then into your colon; this is known as a colonoscopy
• indirectly – by using a computer tomography (CT) scan, which takes a series of X-rays and uses a computer to assemble the scans into a more detailed image of your colon

Faeces

Stool (also known as faeces) is the solid waste matter that is passed from the body as a bowel movement.