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General
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Clinical Use:
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Diphtheria toxin is an exotoxin produced by some strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae, C. ulcerans and C. pseudotuberculosis. These toxigenic strains are the cause of respiratory and cutaneous diphtheria.
For diagnosis of respiratory or cutaneous diphtheria, a dry swab of the throat or a wound should be submitted for diphtheria toxin PCR together with a separate gel or charcoal swab for C. diphtheriae culture.
Diphtheria toxin PCR testing can also be performed on cultured isolates of C. diphtheriae, C. ulcerans and C. pseudotuberculosis to determine if the strain is toxigenic. |
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Availability:
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Samples are tested Monday-Saturday.
Results are usually available within 48 hours of receipt in testing laboratory. |
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Aliases/Synonyms:
| C.diphtheriae PCR, Corynebacterium diphtheriae PCR, Toxigenic Corynebacterium PCR, |
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Code:
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Patient samples: VCDTX; Isolates: ICDT1/ICDT2 |
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Handling Instructions (to laboratory):
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Culture Isolates: Send sample ambient.
Patient specimens: Send sample chilled. |
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Hyperlink:
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Unit of Measure:
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Not applicable |
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Reference Interval:
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Not Applicable
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Collection Requirements
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Container:
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Sterile PCR Container (STERIPCR), or, PLATE Container (PLATE), |
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Sample Type:
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Throat Swabs; Wound Swabs; Culture Isolates |
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Minimum Collection Volume:
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250uL (Liquid samples) |
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Collection Instructions:
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Swabs in charcoal or other bacterial transport medium are not suitable for PCR testing. |
Processing Requirements
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Alternate Containers:
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Processing Instructions:
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Minimum Assay Volume:
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Stability:
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1 week chilled |
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Transport Instructions (to testing laboratory):
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Culture Isolates: Send sample ambient.
Patient specimens: Send sample chilled. |
Testing Locations
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Performed at:
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Section
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Department
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Site
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Contact Phone
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| Molecular Diagnostics |
Microbiology |
QEII Medical Centre |
6383 4402 |
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Last Updated : 15-06-2026 08:13 |