概述
Toxigenic culture and cytotoxicity assays are standard tests for detecting C. difficile infection (CDI). Others include immunochromatographic strips, a rapid diagnostic test that detects glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH and toxins simultaneously, and the nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) that detects C. difficile toxin-producing genes. NAAT may not be available in some facilities, so a 2-step method can be adopted where GDH-positive and toxin-negative specimens are selected first, and then toxigenic culture is performed for these specimens. The testing algorithms noted here do not stipulate approaches that individual facilities should opt for based on their characteristics and policies, because testing methods may be influenced by regional and institutional peculiarities. Whichever approach is taken, the diagnosis of CDI should be meticulous and thorough, with consideration given to the possibility that all tests may give false-positive and false-negative results in some instances.
