The utility of repeated stool toxin testing for diagnosing Clostridium difficile colitis

South Med J. 2009 Oct;102(10):1007-9. doi: 10.1097/SMJ.0b013e3181b08c42.

Abstract

Clostridium difficile is diagnosed using the enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA) with the specificity and sensitivity ranging from 50-90% and 70-95%, respectively. Due to the wide ranges, there is considerable confusion regarding the value of the EIA toxin test. We undertook this study to evaluate the benefit of repeat stool toxin testing.

MeSH terms

  • Clostridioides difficile / isolation & purification*
  • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / diagnosis*
  • Enterotoxins / analysis*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / statistics & numerical data*
  • Feces / chemistry*
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Enterotoxins