Abstract
Clostridium difficile is the major cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). This organism is a well-known nosocomial pathogen. We evaluated the performance of C. Diff Quik Chek Complete (Quik Chek: Alere Medical Co., Ltd.), which is a rapid immunoassay tool, designed for the detection of both glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and Clostridium toxins A and B. In comparison with the culture method, the sensitivity and specificity of this tool for GDH detection were 100% and 96%, respectively. As set forth in the SHEA/IDSA guidelines, GDH detection is useful as a primary screening test for CDAD diagnosis. When no GDH is detected, we must use an abbreviated examination method. In addition, in toxin assay using toxin-negative, culture-positive colonies, growth on CCMA was detected in 17 of the 20 reviews (85%). In the case of GDH antigen positivity, CDI can be diagnosed more accurately by toxin assay with colony growth on CCMA. In the case of GDH antigen positivity, it was decided that such a case should be reported to ICT immediately and infection control should be implemented accordingly.
