title: [The use of molecular methods in the diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infections].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to use molecular methods to identify selected strains of C. difficile isolated from patients hospitalized at Independent Public Central Teaching Hospital [SP CSK] between 2008 and 2011 in order to demonstrate their toxicgenic character and to determine their epidemic potential, including the incidence of a suspected C. difficile strain 027/NAP1/B1.
  
  
  METHODS
  Originally evaluated material consisted of freshly collected stool samples from patients who had developed diarrhea. Stool samples were assessed for toxins A and B via an immunoenzymatic method and for the presence of C. difficile via the first culture method. The isolated strains were stored on MICROBANK mediums, at -70 degrees C. From this sample collection, 48 strains isolated in 2008 and 28 strains isolated in 2011 were selected for molecular analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the C. difficile isolates that underwent molecular analysis there were 6 strains 027/NAP1/BI out of the 48 evaluated strains isolated in 2008, which constituted 12.5% and 24 strains 027/NAP1/BI out of the 28 strains isolated in 2011, which constituted 85.7%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Identification of a possible hyperepidemic strain of C. difficile is crucial for undertaking any anti-epidemic activities in health care facilities, where such activities are more and more common and are responsible for nosocomial foci of infection.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Profilaktyki Zagrozeń Srodowiskowych i Alergologii WUM. grazynadulny@wp.pl
authors.forename: Grazyna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dulny
authors.forename: Grazyna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nurzyńska
authors.forename: Szymon Walter
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: de Walthoffen
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kraśnicka
authors.forename: Grazyna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Młynarczyk
mesh_terms: D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D058889:Molecular Typing / Q000379:methods*; D013045:Species Specificity