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Detection ofClostridium difficile toxin by enzyme immunoassay, tissue culture test and culture

Nachweis von Clostridium difficile Toxin mittels ELISA, Zellkulturtest und Kultur

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Summary

Clostridium difficile toxin is frequently encountered in patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea. A commercially available enzyme immunoassay (EIA) detecting toxins A and B was evaluated, screening 148 stool specimens specifically submitted for the detection ofC. difficile. A sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 97.5% were found compared to a tissue culture assay. The overall prevalence ofC. difficile toxin was 22.1%. Cephalosporins had been administered significantly more often to toxin-positive patients. The EIA proved to be a suitable test for the detection ofC. difficile toxin, revealing high prevalences in specifically submitted clinical specimens.

Zusammenfassung

Clostridium difficile stellt eine der häufigsten Ursachen von antibiotika-assoziierten Diarrhöen dar. Wir untersuchten einen kommerziellen ELISA zum Nachweis der Toxine A und B anhand von 148 zum Nachweis vonC. difficile eingesandten Stuhlproben. Die Sensitivität des ELISA betrug, verglichen mit einem Zellkulturtest, 100%, die Spezifität lag bei 97,5%. Die Prävalenz vonC. difficile-Toxin wurde mit 22,1% bestimmt. Bei toxin-positiven Patienten war signifikant häufiger eine Therapie mit Cephalosporinen durchgeführt worden. Der Toxin A- und B-ELISA eignete sich gut zum Nachweis vonC. difficile-Toxin und erbrachte hohe Prävalenzen in zum Nachweis vonC. difficile eingesandten Proben.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Infektionsimmunologie der Freien Universität Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 27, D-12203, Berlin, Germany

    O. Liesenfeld, F. Saeger &  H. Hahn

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  1. O. Liesenfeld
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  2. F. Saeger
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  3. H. Hahn
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Liesenfeld, O., Saeger, F. & Hahn, H. Detection ofClostridium difficile toxin by enzyme immunoassay, tissue culture test and culture. Infection 22, 29–32 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01780761

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01780761

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