Rapid Test for Clostridium Difficile-Associated Disease (CDAD) Now Available Through Thermo Scientific

Microbiology specialist, Thermo Scientific, offers healthcare professionals a valuable diagnostic tool for use in the detection of Clostridium difficile- associated disease (CDAD). The Remel Xpect™ Clostridium difficile Toxin A/B Test is so easy to use that it can be performed in a near-patient or laboratory setting, providing a rapid and reliable result in just 20 minutes. This allows appropriate patient care and infection control procedures to be initiated at the earliest opportunity

The reported incidence of CDAD continues to increase rapidly in the UK[1] and North America[2,3] and, with recent outbreaks in other parts of Europe[4,5], this major cause of nosocomial diarrhoea is now of worldwide concern.

.Elderly and immunocompromised patients who have recently received antibiotic therapy are most at risk of CDAD, and infection can quickly spread throughout hospital wards and other healthcare institutions. Early diagnosis is important to ensure the best treatment and care for patients, to allow prompt isolation and/or cohorting of patients, and to ensure adherence to strict infection control precautions (such as contact precautions and appropriate environmental cleaning).

The Xpect Clostridium difficile Toxin A/B Test allows the direct detection of both C. difficile toxins A and B in faecal samples. This is important since A-/B+ strains of C. difficile have been linked to CDAD[6-9]. To use, diluted sample is simply mixed with a conjugate and added to the test cassette. Within 20 minutes, the result is clearly visible and easily interpreted. No specialised equipment or expertise is required.

Whereas C. difficile testing was once restricted to larger laboratories, Xpect Clostridium difficile Toxin A/B test allows medium to low volume laboratories to offer this service and any size laboratory to perform urgent testing. Furthermore, the simplicity of the test makes it ideal for use in a near-patient setting, allowing doctors and nurses to test patients quickly in surgeries, community hospitals and care homes. Such rapid, "on the spot" testing may help healthcare institutions to limit the spread of disease.

Ian Hart, clinical marketing manager, Thermo Scientific, comments, "The rapid and reliable detection of important healthcare-associated infections has become a matter of great concern and public interest. This convenient and simple direct test for Clostridium difficile toxins A and B provides more laboratories and healthcare professionals with the option to test for this rapidly spreading pathogen, enabling them to respond quickly and efficiently to outbreaks of CDAD."

In addition to the Xpect test for C. difficile toxins A and B, Thermo Scientific also offers the Remel ProSpecT™ C.difficile Toxin A/B Microplate Assay. This immunoassay is one in a range of assays for the direct detection of enteric pathogens, including viruses and parasites.

For further information about the Xpect Clostridium difficile Toxin A/B Test, the range Xpect and ProSpecT tests available from Thermo Scientific, please contact Thermo Scientific using contact details at the top of this page.

References:
1. CDR Weekly (2006) 16(33)
2. McDonald, L C, Owings, M and Jernigan, D B. (2006) Emerging Infectious Diseases 12(3)
3. PHAC (2004) Infectious News in Brief, 3rd September 2004.
4. van den Hof, S, van der Kooi, T, van den Berg R, et al (2006) Eurosurveillance Weekly 11(1)
5. Tachon, M, Cattoen, C, Blanckaert, K, et al (2006) 11(5)
6. CCDR (1999) Report 25-07
7. Department of Health press release 2003/0222 (2003) (PLCM02003/4, PLCN02003/4)
8. Limaye, A.P., Turgeon, D.K., Cookson, B.T. and Fritche, T.R. (2000) J. Clin. Microbiol. 38(4): 1696-1697
9. van den Berg, R.J., Claas, E.C.J., Oyib, D.H. et al (2004) J. Clin. Microbiol. 42(3): 1035-1041