Equivocal result

When the C. difficile screening test (GDH) is positive, but C. difficile toxin could not be detected in this stool sample, the result will be reported as “equivocal”. This can be interpreted as C. difficile bacteria are likely to be present in the bowel (e.g. colonisation), but toxin could not be detected from the specimen by confirmatory test. This does not mean the patient has an active C. difficile infection (CDI) and treatment is not usually advised in this setting.

If the patient remains symptomatic (diarrhoea defined as >3 loose or liquid stools per day, or more frequently than is normal for the individual patient), advise repeat sample (up to 3 specimens for toxin testing) and adherence to infection control guidance. Please seek specialist infection advice if ongoing concerns of active C. difficile infection (How to get advice).