Evaluation of Rapid Assay (Tox A/B Quik Chek) for the Detection of Clostridium difficile Toxins A and B.
10.5145/KJCM.2008.11.2.112
- Author:
Sue Jung KIM
1
;
Heejung KIM
;
Myung Sook KIM
;
Eunmi KOH
;
Chang Ki KIM
;
Seok Hoon JEONG
;
Yunsop CHONG
;
Kyungwon LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Research Institute of Bacterial Resistance, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. leekcp@yuhs.ac
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Clostridium difficile;
Enzyme immunoassay;
Clostridium difficile Toxin A;
Clostridium difficile Toxin B
- MeSH:
Bacterial Proteins;
Bacterial Toxins;
Boron Compounds;
Clostridium;
Clostridium difficile;
Diarrhea;
Early Diagnosis;
Enterotoxins;
Immunoassay;
Immunoenzyme Techniques;
Polymerase Chain Reaction;
Sensitivity and Specificity
- From:Korean Journal of Clinical Microbiology
2008;11(2):112-116
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Toxin immunoassay is widely used for rapid diagnosis of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of Tox A/B Quik Chek test (TECHLAB, Blacksburg, VA, USA) compared to toxigenic culture. METHODS: From September 2006 to August 2007, 959 stools were examined by Tox A/B Quik Chek test and toxigenic culture (C. difficile culture plus tcdB PCR using colonies obtained from culture). RESULTS: Compared to the results of toxigenic culture, the sensitivity and specificity of Tox A/B Quik Chek test were 47.5% and 97.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity of Tox A/B Quik Chek test was not high, but the specificity was high. Although Tox A/B Quik Chek test alone is not sufficient to diagnose Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, it may aid rapid diagnosis, early treatment and prevention of nosocomial spread of the infection, if supplemented by C. difficile culture or tissue culture cytotoxin assay.
