Diagnostic approach to Clostridium difficile infection

Diagnostic approach to Clostridium difficile infection.

Clostridium difficile infection: clinical spectrum and approach to management.

Clostridium difficile is recognized globally as an important enteric pathogen associated with considerable morbidity and mortality due to the widespread use of antibiotics. The overall incidence of C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) is increasing due to the emergence of a hypervirulent strain known as NAP1/BI/027. C. difficile acquisition by a host can result in a varied spectrum of clinic...

Evaluation of diagnostic tests for Clostridium difficile infection.

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.

Clostridium difficile Infection.

Clostridium difficile infection is a major health care challenge in terms of patient and economic consequences. For the patient, it is a morbid and sometimes a life-threatening iatrogenic complication of antibiotic treatment. In the United States, the provider's institution may face financial penalties, because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention views this as an iatrogenic health ca...

Clostridium difficile infection in children – clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects

Methods We present 4 cases of children admitted to the National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Balş” in the last year with Clostridium difficile colitis; the children had ages between 2 and 12 years. Diagnosis of infection was based on the presence of three or more stools in a 24 hour period, isolation of the organism and detection of toxins A/B in a diarrheal stool specimen...