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. 2008 Jan;46(1):328-30.
doi: 10.1128/JCM.01503-07. Epub 2007 Nov 21.

Rapid and reliable diagnostic algorithm for detection of Clostridium difficile

Lukas Fenner  1 , Andreas F Widmer, Gisela Goy, Sonja Rudin, Reno Frei
Affiliations

Rapid and reliable diagnostic algorithm for detection of Clostridium difficile

Lukas Fenner et al. J Clin Microbiol. 2008 Jan.

Abstract

We evaluated a two-step algorithm for detection of Clostridium difficile in 1,468 stool specimens. First, specimens were screened by an immunoassay for C. difficile glutamate dehydrogenase antigen (C.DIFF CHEK-60). Second, screen-positive specimens underwent toxin testing by a rapid toxin A/B assay (TOX A/B QUIK CHEK); toxin-negative specimens were subjected to stool culture. This algorithm allowed final results for 92% of specimens with a turnaround time of 4 h.

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Figures

FIG. 1.
FIG. 1.
Proposed algorithm for detection of C. difficile in fecal specimens submitted for C. difficile testing. Tests used are C.DIFF CHEK-60 for C. difficile specific antigen (glutamate dehydrogenase) and TOX A/B QUIK CHEK for toxin A/B (both TechLab/Wampole). The percentage values refer to the total numbers of stool specimens analyzed (n = 1,468). Results for nine specimens (0.6%) which did not fit into the described categories are not included.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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