Comparative Study of Three Different Testing Mechanisms for Clostridium Difficile
Comparative Study of Three Different Testing Mechanisms for Clostridium Difficile
The purpose of this study is to establish which of the following tests perform best in
 diagnosing clostridium difficile. PCR, Enzyme Immunoassays (EIA) and C. difficile cytotoxin
 assay (CTA).
This comparative study will be carried out in the hospital microbiology laboratory of a
 tertiary academic health center, St. Joseph's Healthcare (SJH) affiliated with McMaster
 University, Hamilton, ON on 500 individual stool samples from patients greater than 12 months
 of age to determine an efficacy of distinction between current gold standard and other
 methods of testing for Clostridium difficile. This study is required to find a faster test
 for diagnosis of CDI in order to facilitate prompt treatment and reduce the complications of
 CDI. Identification of infected cases will lead to the enforcement of infection control
 measures and thereby prevent spread to other susceptible children. This is turn will reduce
 costs, length of stay, morbidity, and mortality from CDI if instituted correctly.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients older than 12 months of age

 -  Having diarrhea

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Inadequate volume of sample to perform all three diagnostic tests (less than 3mL

 -  Formed stools