Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is spore-forming, Gram-positive anaerobic bacillus that produces two exotoxins: toxin A and toxin B. It is a common cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and accounts for 15 to 25% of all episodes of AAD. It can cause diarrhea and other intestinal problems. C. difficile is commonly found in healthcare settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes.
C. difficile is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, meaning it is spread through contact with feces or surfaces that have been contaminated with feces. It can also be spread through contact with a person who is infected.
The most common symptoms of C. difficile infection include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. In some cases, the infection can cause more serious problems, such as colitis (inflammation of the colon) and sepsis (a potentially life-threatening infection in the bloodstream).
At Solaris Diagnostics, our test panel uses Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to amplify selected sections of DNA to detect pathogens. PCR is fast and highly sensitive and can produce results within hours.
Now you can provide patients with the quickest and most accurate diagnosis possible from our high-complexity, CAP-accredited laboratory. Results are available with a turnaround time (TAT) of 24 hours from the time the sample is received in the laboratory.