title: Clostridium difficile infection: Early history, diagnosis and molecular strain typing methods.
abstract: Recognised as the leading cause of nosocomial antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, the incidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) remains high despite efforts to improve prevention and reduce the spread of the bacterium in healthcare settings. In the last decade, many studies have focused on the epidemiology and rapid diagnosis of CDI. In addition, different typing methods have been developed for epidemiological studies. This review explores the history of C. difficile and the current scope of the infection. The variety of available laboratory tests for CDI diagnosis and strain typing methods are also examined.
authors.affiliation: Food Science Department, FARAH, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium. Electronic address: c.rodriguez@ulg.ac.be.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.affiliation: Belgian Reference Centre for Clostridium Difficile (NRC), Pôle de microbiologie médicale, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Broeck
authors.affiliation: Food Science Department, FARAH, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Taminiau
authors.affiliation: Belgian Reference Centre for Clostridium Difficile (NRC), Pôle de microbiologie médicale, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Delmée
authors.affiliation: Food Science Department, FARAH, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Daube
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D058889:Molecular Typing / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: C. difficile; Infection; Laboratory diagnosis; Toxins; Typing methods