Key points
- C. perfringens food poisoning is diagnosed by a laboratory test.
- Most illnesses are not diagnosed because testing for C. perfringens is not common.
Lab testing
C. perfringens food poisoning is diagnosed when a laboratory test detects the bacteria or toxin
- in a patient's stool (poop) sample
- in food linked to a patient's illness
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is not common for several reasons:
- Most people with C. perfringens food poisoning do not seek medical care or provide a stool sample for testing.
- Most clinical laboratories do not test for C. perfringens.
- Usually, public health laboratories test for C. perfringens only if an outbreak happens.
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Treatment