title: Frequency of sample submission for optimal utilization of the cell culture cytotoxicity assay for detection of Clostridium difficile toxin.
abstract: We reviewed the results of repeated sample submissions within a 7-day time frame for Clostridium difficile toxin testing. A total of 2,940 samples were tested during a 3-month period using a cell culture cytotoxicity assay (CCCA). The results from all second samples (n = 1,101) were concordant with the original test result. In only two cases (0.8%; n = 247) was a third sample positive when the first two samples were negative. In this study, submission of multiple samples for CCCA did not increase detection of Clostridium difficile infection.
authors.affiliation: Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21287-7093, USA. aborek1@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Anita P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Borek
authors.forename: Deborah Z
authors.initials: DZ
authors.lastname: Aird
authors.forename: Karen C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Carroll
mesh_terms: D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D005347:Fibroblasts; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins