title: Rapid and reliable diagnostic algorithm for detection of Clostridium difficile.
abstract: We evaluated a two-step algorithm for detection of Clostridium difficile in 1,468 stool specimens. First, specimens were screened by an immunoassay for C. difficile glutamate dehydrogenase antigen (C.DIFF CHEK-60). Second, screen-positive specimens underwent toxin testing by a rapid toxin A/B assay (TOX A/B QUIK CHEK); toxin-negative specimens were subjected to stool culture. This algorithm allowed final results for 92% of specimens with a turnaround time of 4 h.
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Laboratory, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Lukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fenner
authors.forename: Andreas F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Widmer
authors.forename: Gisela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Goy
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rudin
authors.forename: Reno
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Frei
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000032:analysis; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000032:analysis; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D005969:Glutamate Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; C488583:Clostridium difficile lethal toxin B; D004768:Enterotoxins; C041348:tcdA protein, Clostridium difficile; D005969:Glutamate Dehydrogenase