title: Evaluation of diagnostic tests for Clostridium difficile infection.
abstract: We evaluated toxigenic Clostridium difficile detection by a lateral flow assay for antigen and toxin, an enzyme immunoassay, and two commercial PCR methods. Compared to the cell cytotoxicity neutralization assay and toxigenic culture, both toxin detection methods lacked sensitivity. PCR following combined antigen and toxin detection provided the most useful diagnostic information.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, City Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Swindells
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brenwald
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Reading
authors.forename: Beryl
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Oppenheim
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000032:analysis; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods*; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D009500:Neutralization Tests / Q000379:methods; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001427:Bacterial Toxins