title: Real-time cellular analysis for quantitative detection of functional Clostridium difficile toxin in stool.
abstract: Rapid and accurate diagnosis and monitoring of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is critical for patient care and infection control. We will briefly review current laboratory techniques for the diagnosis of CDI and identify aspects needing improvement. We will also introduce a real-time cellular analysis (RTCA) assay developed for the diagnosis and monitoring of CDI using electronic impedance to assess the cell status. The RTCA assay uses impedance measurement to detect minute physiological changes in cells cultured on gold microelectrodes embedded in glass substrates in the bottom of microtiter wells. This assay has been adapted for quantitative detection of C. difficile functional toxin directly from stool specimens. Compared to conventional techniques and molecular assays, the RTCA assay provides a valuable tool for the diagnosis of CDI as well as for the assessment of clinical severity and for monitoring therapeutic efficacies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Haijing
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Dazhi
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Charles W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Stratton
authors.forename: Yi-Wei
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000032:analysis*; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000737:chemistry*; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins