Clostridium difficile
EpidemiologyClostridioides difficile Whole-Genome Sequencing Reveals Limited Within-Host Genetic Diversity in a Pediatric CohortWhole-genome sequencing (WGS) is a highly sensitive method for identifying genetic relatedness and transmission of Clostridioides difficile strains. Previous studies suggest that as few as 3 core genome single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) discriminate between genetically distinct isolates. Because a single C...
CommentaryUltrasensitive Detection of Clostridium difficile Toxins Reveals Suboptimal Accuracy of Toxin Gene Cycle Thresholds for Toxin PredictionsThe use of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) for the diagnosis of Clostridium (Clostridioides) difficile infection (CDI) leads to overdiagnosis. To improve the clinical specificity of NAATs, there has been a recent interest in using toxin gene cycle thresholds (CTs) to predict the presence and absence of toxins.
BacteriologyToxin B PCR Amplification Cycle Threshold Adds Little to Clinical Variables for Predicting Outcomes in Clostridium difficile Infection: a Retrospective Cohort StudyThe objective of the present study was to evaluate the value of the PCR cycle threshold (CT) for predicting the recurrence/severity of infection compared to that of toxin detection plus clinical variables. First episodes of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) diagnosed during 2015 at our institution were included.
- ImmunoassaysSensitivity of Single-Molecule Array Assays for Detection of Clostridium difficile Toxins in Comparison to Conventional Laboratory Testing Algorithms
Guidelines recommend the use of an algorithm for the laboratory diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) detecting C. difficile toxins cannot be used as standalone tests due to suboptimal sensitivity, and molecular tests suffer from nonspecificity by detecting...
