title: Evaluation of two rapid immunochromatography tests for the detection of Clostridium difficile toxins.
abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the performance of two rapid immunochromatography tests, the Tox A/B Quick Chek (TechLab) and the ImmunoCard Toxins A&B test (Meridian), in addition to the older Tox A/B ELISA, against PCR detection of the tcdB gene. Two hundred patient-unique stool specimens were tested. In comparison to the polymerase chain reaction results, the sensitivity and specificity of the two rapid tests were 94.7% and 97.2%, respectively; corresponding values for the ELISA were 93.6% and 94.3%. Findings on the rapid tests showed a 96% correlation with polymerase chain reaction assay and a 94% correlation with ELISA. Considering the importance of early and appropriate diagnosis of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, rapid immunochromatography tests may be of great benefit to practitioners.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital, Petah Tiqwa, Israel.
authors.forename: Zmira
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Samra
authors.forename: Avia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Luzon
authors.forename: Jihad
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bishara
mesh_terms: D002845:Chromatography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016360:Clostridioides difficile; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000175:diagnosis; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000032:analysis*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D004768:Enterotoxins; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic