Invention:
This invention is an extremely sensitive and precise molecular diagnostic tool to accurately identify clostridium difficile strains.
Background:
Clostridium difficile is a healthcare associated infection with significant patient mortality, morbidity, and may result in prolonged hospital stays. It is the leading cause of healthcare-associated infections and represents a substantial healthcare cost burden. Rapid and early identification of toxigenic Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is important to the early and appropriate management and implementation of infection control measures resulting in improvement in patient outcomes. There are several current laboratory tests used to diagnose C. difficile. Tests that have high sensitivity and specificity are more difficult to perform, more costly, and take longer. Inexpensive, rapid tests may have low sensitivity depending on multiple factors. Molecular assays represent an important alternative because they are easier to perform, have higher specificity and sensitivity.
Applications:
- Identification and diagnosis of C. difficile
Advantages:
- Rapid results
- Precise identification of bacteria strain
- Helps to determine source of infection
- Helps to determine strategies to manage disease outbreaks
