Detection Of Toxigenic Clostridium Difficile In Stool By

我们正在评估我们实验室设计的用于诊断艰难梭菌病的PCR检测的性能。该试验使用一组引物检测毒素a基因，另一组引物检测毒素B基因。PCR产物的终点检测是ELISA格式。我们的PCR方法将与以下诊断艰难梭菌疾病的方法进行比较：产毒素培养、细胞毒素试验和检测毒素A和b的ELISA法。我们已从443份粪便标本中提取DNA，并对其中292份标本进行PCR检测。其他3种检测方法的数据可用于所有443个标本。一旦完成所有PCR分析，将对结果不一致的标本进行图表审查。我们的结果将证明PCR是否是诊断艰难梭菌胃肠道疾病的有用工具。

We are evaluating the performance of a PCR assay designed in our laboratory for the diagnosis of Clostridium difficile disease. This assay uses a primer set to detect the toxin A gene and another set to detect the toxin B gene. Endpoint detection of PCR products is an ELISA format. Our PCR assay will be compared to the following methods for diagnosis of C. difficile disease: toxigenic culture, cytotoxin assay, and an ELISA for detection of toxins A and B. DNA has been extracted from 443 stool specimens and the PCR assay has been performed on 292 of these specimens so far. Data from the other 3 assays is available for all 443 specimens. Once all PCR assays have been performed a chart review will be performed for specimens with conflicting results. Our results will demonstrate if PCR is a useful tool for diagnosis of C. difficile gastrointestinal disease.