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. 2013 Nov;57(9):1304-7.
doi: 10.1093/cid/cit492. Epub 2013 Jul 29.

Effect of nucleic acid amplification testing on population-based incidence rates of Clostridium difficile infection

Carolyn V Gould  1 , Jonathan R Edwards, Jessica Cohen, Wendy M Bamberg, Leigh Ann Clark, Monica M Farley, Helen Johnston, Joelle Nadle, Lisa Winston, Dale N Gerding, L Clifford McDonald, Fernanda C Lessa; Clostridium difficile Infection Surveillance Investigators, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Collaborators, Affiliations

Effect of nucleic acid amplification testing on population-based incidence rates of Clostridium difficile infection

Carolyn V Gould et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2013 Nov.

Abstract

Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) is increasingly being adopted for diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Data from 3 states conducting population-based CDI surveillance showed increases ranging from 43% to 67% in CDI incidence attributable to changing from toxin enzyme immunoassays to NAAT. CDI surveillance requires adjustment for testing methods.

Keywords: Clostridium difficile; clinical laboratory techniques; incidence; nucleic acid amplification techniques; surveillance.

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Conflict of interest statement

Potential conflicts of interest. D. N. G. holds patents for treatment of CDI licensed to ViroPharma; is a consultant for Merck, ViroPharma, GSK, Roche, Novartis, Optimer, Cubist, Cangene, Sanofi Pasteur, and Actelion; and holds research grants from GOJO. All other authors report no potential conflicts.

All authors have submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. Conflicts that the editors consider relevant to the content of the manuscript have been disclosed.

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