title: Utility of a commercial PCR assay and a clinical prediction rule for detection of toxigenic Clostridium difficile in asymptomatic carriers.
abstract: A commercial PCR assay of perirectal swab specimens detected 17 (68%) of 25 asymptomatic carriers of toxigenic Clostridium difficile, including 93% with skin and/or environmental contamination. A clinical prediction rule, followed by PCR screening, could be used to identify carriers at high risk of C. difficile shedding.
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Curtis J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Donskey
authors.forename: Venkata C K
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Sunkesula
authors.forename: Annette L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Jencson
authors.forename: Nimalie D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: Carolyn V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Gould
authors.forename: L Clifford
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Samore
authors.forename: Jeanmarie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pacheco
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sambol
authors.forename: Laurica
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Petrella
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Terry
authors.forename: Dale N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Gerding
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012007:Rectum / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins