Community and hospital acquired Clostridium difficile in South Australia – ribotyping of isolates and a comparison of laboratory detection methods. (21st November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wilson, R.; Beerbaum, P.; Giglio, S.
• Is Part Of: Letters in applied microbiology. Volume 60:Number 1(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 33
• Page End: 36
• Publication Date: 2014-11-21
• Subjects: Microbiology -- Periodicals; 660.62
• DOI: 10.1111/lam.12335
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-8254

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="lam12335-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="lam12335-sec-1001" sec-type="section"> <p>A total of 274 samples were screened for toxigenic <italic>Clostridium difficile</italic> using a combination of several commercially available assays, and positive isolates ribotyped. A two‐step algorithm assisted in demonstrating an increased prevalence of <italic>C. difficile</italic> infection in South Australia of 9·8%, most of which were ribotypes 014 and 052. A glutamate dehydrogenase assay followed by the detection of genes associated with toxin production was the most sensitive and specific algorithm for screening for toxigenic <italic>C. difficile</italic>.</p> </sec> <sec id="lam12335-sec-1002" sec-type="section"> <title>Significance and Impact of the Study</title> <p>Rapid and accurate detection of toxigenic <italic>Clostridium difficile</italic> is important for the diagnosis of <italic>C. difficile</italic> colitis and the management of patients in healthcare institutions to minimize the spread of disease. A critical review of currently available commercial methods supports a recommendation for a 2‐step algorithm that is relatively inexpensive and amenable to the routine pathology laboratory. It is anticipated that the detection of <italic>C. difficile</italic> will increase with improved detection methods, and the ribotype prevalence presented in this manuscript will be useful for any current and future source tracking purposes.</p> </sec> </abstract>