Laboratory Testing for C. perfringens

For Public Health

Key points

  • CDC conducts limited testing for C. perfringens.
  • A stool test detecting C. perfringens bacteria or enterotoxin is required to confirm an infection.
  • Public health laboratories typically only test for C. perfringens if an outbreak has happened.
A laboratorian working in a laboratory. They are using a pipette and test tube, transferring liquid from one to the other.

Laboratory guidelines

CDC offers limited laboratory testing for C. perfringens food poisoning.

  • CDC only tests specimens linked to foodborne outbreaks.
  • CDC accepts specimens from state public health laboratories and other federal agencies.

Private healthcare providers and institutions may submit specimens directly to the CDC with authorization from their state public health department.

Interpreting results

Demonstration of C. perfringens enterotoxin in the stool or a count of ≥106 C. perfringens organisms per gram of stool within 48 hours of onset of typical illness is required to confirm infection.

Resources

Submitting Specimens to CDC
An overview of how to submit specimens to the Infectious Diseases Laboratory.
CDC Specimen Test Order and Reporting (CSTOR) Web Portal
Discover an overview of important information and resources related to CSTOR.
Test Order Directory
NATL CTR FOR EMERGING & ZOONOTIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
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Content Source
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)
About This Page
Published: May 15, 2024
Updated: October 28, 2026

This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.

Reviewed: October 28, 2026

The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.