Detection, Isolation and Identification of Clostridium Difficile

Abstract

In view of the mounting evidence generated world wide in the last few years that firmly implicates C. difficile as the aetiological agent in both antibiotic and non-antibiotic associated pseudomembranous colitis (Larson et al., 1978, Bartlett et al., 1978a, George et al., 1978a), and also recent recognition of the fact that there may be a spectrum of gastrointestinal diseases associated with C. difficile infections (Borriello and Larson, 1981, Bolton et al., 1980, Brettle et al., 1982), an increasing number of laboratories are seeking to detect, isolate and identify C. difficile from clinical samples. The aims of this chapter are to critically review the methods currently available and to highlight problems that may arise.