Which test is most sensitive and specific for diagnosing Clostridium difficile?

The GDH EIA is both a sensitive and specific test for CDI (85–100% and 87–98%, respectively).

What is best C. diff test?

Nucleic acid tests are the methods of choice in approximately 50% of laboratories in the United States. These tests are considered as the most sensitive methods for detection of C. difficile in stool and are the least specific.

How do you check for C. diff in a lab?

Cell cytotoxicity test is a tissue culture to detect the C. difficile toxin. It is a test that looks for the effects of the cytotoxin (cytotoxicity) on human cells grown in culture. It is a sensitive method to detect toxin, but it requires 24 to 48 hours to get the test result.

What is a PCR test for C. diff?

C. difficile toxin gene testing—this tests for the toxin genes using nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), typically a PCR method. These tests are rapid and very sensitive methods to confirm the presence of C. difficile toxin gene.

Can you test positive for C. diff and not have it?

Molecular assays can be positive for C. diff in individuals who are asymptomatic and do not have infection. Patients with other causes of diarrhea might be positive, which could lead to over-diagnosis and treatment.

Which lab test should be ordered to determine the pathogenicity of Clostridium difficile?

PCR Assays The use of a PCR assay to detect tcdB of C.

How do you collect a stool specimen for C. diff?

The stool should be collected into a clean, dry plastic jar with a screw-cap lid. For best results, the stool should be brought to the lab right away because C. difficile toxins break down quickly at room temperature, making them difficult to detect.

What is Clostridium difficile PCR?

Clostridium difficile PCR is designed to amplify 2 different genes that are specific to toxigenic strains of C difficile: tcdB, which encodes for toxin B, and tcdC, which encodes for a toxin regulatory pathway.