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Prosty C, Hanula R, Katergi K, Longtin Y, McDonald EG, Lee TC. Clinical Outcomes and Management of NAAT-Positive/Toxin-Negative Clostridioides difficile Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Clin Infect Dis 2024; 78:430-438. [PMID: 37648251 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Standalone nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are frequently used to diagnose Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI), although they may be unable to distinguish colonization from disease. A 2-stage algorithm pairing NAATs with toxin immunoassays (Toxin) may improve specificity. We evaluated clinical outcomes of patients who were NAAT+/Toxin+ versus NAAT+/Toxin- and treated versus untreated NAAT+/Toxin- cases through systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS We searched EMBASE and MEDLINE from inception to April 1, 2023 for articles comparing CDI outcomes among symptomatic patients tested by NAAT and Toxin tests. The risk differences (RD) of all-cause mortality and CDI recurrence were computed by random effects meta-analysis between patients who were NAAT+/Toxin+ and NAAT+/Toxin-, as well as between patients who were NAAT+/Toxin- and treated or untreated. RESULTS Twenty-six observational studies comprising 12 737 patients were included. The 30-day all-cause mortality was not significantly different between those who were NAAT+/Toxin+ (8.4%) and NAAT+/Toxin- (6.7%) (RD = 0.41%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -.67, 1.49). Recurrence at 60 days was significantly higher among patients who were NAAT+/Toxin+ (19.8%) versus NAAT+/Toxin- (11.0%) (RD = 7.65%, 95% CI = 4.60, 10.71). Among treated compared to untreated NAAT+/Toxin- cases, the all-cause 30-day mortalities were 5.0% and 12.7%, respectively (RD = -7.45%, 95% CI = -12.29, -2.60), but 60-day recurrence was not significantly different (11.6% vs 7.0%, respectively; RD = 5.25%, 95% CI -1.71, 12.22). CONCLUSIONS Treatment of patients who were NAAT+/Toxin- was associated with reduced all-cause mortality but not recurrence. Although subject to the inherent limitations of observational studies, these results suggest that some patients who are NAAT+/Toxin- may benefit from treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor Prosty
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Ryan Hanula
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Khaled Katergi
- Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Yves Longtin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Jewish General Hospital Sir Mortimer B. Davis, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Emily G McDonald
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Clinical Practice Assessment Unit, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Todd C Lee
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Clinical Practice Assessment Unit, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, QC, Montréal, Canada
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López-Cárdenas S, Torres-Martos E, Mora-Delgado J, Sánchez-Calvo JM, Santos-Peña M, Zapata López Á, Dolores López-Prieto M, Pérez-Cortés S, Carlos Alados J. The prognostic value of toxin B and binary toxin in Clostridioides difficile infection. Gut Microbes 2022; 13:1884516. [PMID: 33660568 PMCID: PMC8237967 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2021.1884516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
To study the association between detection of the Clostridioides difficile gene encoding the binary toxin (CDT) and direct detection of toxinB (TcdB) from feces with the appearance of serious disease, complications, or recurrence in a prospective series of cases. A total of 220 confirmed cases were included, using a two-step algorithm: an initial study to detect the enzyme, glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), followed, in cases of positivity, by detection of the tcdB. tcdB-positive patients were investigated for the presence of CDT and TcdB. Outcome variables were severe disease, the modified Illinois C. difficile infection (CDI) prognostic risk index (ZAR score), the appearance of complications (need for colectomy, CDI-related death, or toxic megacolon) and recurrence. Patients who tested positive for the presence of TcdB in feces were found to have greater disease severity than those who tested negative, with a ZAR score of 35.4% vs. 23% (p = .048), a higher recurrence rate (14.6% vs. 5.9%, p = .032), and a tendency for higher number of complications (20.7% vs. 11.5%), although without reaching statistical significance (p = .053). When presence of CDT was analyzed, higher frequencies of severe disease (39.2% vs. 21.2%, p = .005), complications and recurrence (21.6% vs. 10.9%, p = .037 and 14.9% vs. 5.8%, p = .029; respectively) were observed in patients where CDT was detected. TcdB and CDT act as prognostic markers of the appearance of serious disease, complications or recurrence in cases of CDI. Simultaneous detection of both markers, TcdB and CDT, had a greater impact on the prognosis than when they were detected separately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador López-Cárdenas
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology. Jerez De La Frontera University Hospital, Jerez De La Frontera, Cádiz, Spain,CONTACT Juan Mora Delgado Unit of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology. Jerez De La Frontera University Hospital, Jerez De La Frontera, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Eva Torres-Martos
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology. Jerez De La Frontera University Hospital, Jerez De La Frontera, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Juan Mora-Delgado
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology. Jerez De La Frontera University Hospital, Jerez De La Frontera, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Juan Manuel Sánchez-Calvo
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology. Jerez De La Frontera University Hospital, Jerez De La Frontera, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Marta Santos-Peña
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology. Jerez De La Frontera University Hospital, Jerez De La Frontera, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Ángel Zapata López
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology. Jerez De La Frontera University Hospital, Jerez De La Frontera, Cádiz, Spain
| | - María Dolores López-Prieto
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology. Jerez De La Frontera University Hospital, Jerez De La Frontera, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Salvador Pérez-Cortés
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology. Jerez De La Frontera University Hospital, Jerez De La Frontera, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Alados
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology. Jerez De La Frontera University Hospital, Jerez De La Frontera, Cádiz, Spain
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Alonso CD, Kelly CP, Garey KW, Gonzales-Luna AJ, Williams D, Daugherty K, Cuddemi C, Villafuerte-Gálvez J, White NC, Chen X, Xu H, Sprague R, Barrett C, Miller M, Foussadier A, Lantz A, Banz A, Pollock NR. Ultrasensitive and quantitative toxin measurement correlates with baseline severity, severe outcomes, and recurrence among hospitalized patients with Clostridioides difficile infection. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 74:2142-2149. [PMID: 34537841 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stool toxin concentrations may impact Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) severity and outcomes. We correlated fecal C. difficile toxin concentrations, measured by an ultrasensitive and quantitative assay, with CDI baseline severity, attributable outcomes, and recurrence. METHODS We enrolled 615 hospitalized adults (≥ 18y) with CDI (acute diarrhea, positive stool NAAT, and decision to treat). Baseline stool toxin A and B concentrations were measured by Single Molecule Array. Subjects were classified by baseline CDI severity (four scoring methods) and outcomes within 40 days (death, ICU stay, colectomy, and recurrence). RESULTS Among 615 patients (median 68.0 years), in all scoring systems, subjects with severe baseline disease had higher stool toxin A+B concentrations than those without (P<0.01). Nineteen subjects (3.1%) had a severe outcome primarily-attributed to CDI (group 1). This group had higher median toxin A+B [14,303 pg/mL (IQR 416.0, 141,967)] than subjects in whom CDI only contributed to the outcome [group 2, 163.2 pg/mL(0.0, 8423.3)], subjects with severe outcome unrelated to CDI [group 3, 158.6 pg/mL (0.0, 1795.2)], or no severe outcome [group 4, 209.5 pg/mL (0.0, 8566.3)](P=0.003). Group 1 was more likely to have detectable toxin (94.7%) than groups 2-4 (60.5-66.1%)(P=0.02). Individuals with recurrence had higher toxin A+B [2266.8 pg/mL(188.8, 29411)] than those without [154.0 pg/mL(0.0, 5864.3)](P<0.001) and higher rates of detectable toxin (85.7% versus 64.0%, P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS In CDI patients, ultrasensitive stool toxin detection and concentration correlated with severe baseline disease, severe CDI-attributable outcomes, and recurrence, confirming the contribution of toxin quantity to disease presentation and clinical course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn D Alonso
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ciarán P Kelly
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kevin W Garey
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Translational Research, University of Houston College, of Pharmacy, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anne J Gonzales-Luna
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Translational Research, University of Houston College, of Pharmacy, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David Williams
- Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Daugherty
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christine Cuddemi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Javier Villafuerte-Gálvez
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicole C White
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xinhua Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hua Xu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca Sprague
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caitlin Barrett
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Nira R Pollock
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Kelly CR, Fischer M, Allegretti JR, LaPlante K, Stewart DB, Limketkai BN, Stollman NH. ACG Clinical Guidelines: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Clostridioides difficile Infections. Am J Gastroenterol 2021; 116:1124-1147. [PMID: 34003176 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 65.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection occurs when the bacterium produces toxin that causes diarrhea and inflammation of the colon. These guidelines indicate the preferred approach to the management of adults with C. difficile infection and represent the official practice recommendations of the American College of Gastroenterology. The scientific evidence for these guidelines was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation process. In instances where the evidence was not appropriate for Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation but there was consensus of significant clinical merit, key concept statements were developed using expert consensus. These guidelines are meant to be broadly applicable and should be viewed as the preferred, but not the only, approach to clinical scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen R Kelly
- Division of Gastroenterology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Monika Fischer
- Division of Gastroenterology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Jessica R Allegretti
- Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kerry LaPlante
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - David B Stewart
- Department of Surgery, University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Berkeley N Limketkai
- Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Neil H Stollman
- Division of Gastroenterology, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, East Bay Center for Digestive Health, Oakland, California, USA
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Wu Q, Savidge TC. Systems approaches for the clinical diagnosis of Clostridioides difficile infection. Transl Res 2020; 220:57-67. [PMID: 32272094 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2020.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is an urgent threat to global public health. Patient susceptibility to C. difficile is highly dependent on host immune status and gut dysbiosis resulting in loss of protective microbiota consortia that prevent spore germination, pathogen colonization, and disease pathogenesis. Recent clinical studies highlight the problems of differentiating symptomatic CDI from asymptomatic C. difficile carriage in patients with diarrhea. In this review, we consider how integration of microbiome and host immune systems biology data may aid in the clinical diagnosis of CDI when validated against gold standard testing and combined with standard microbiology laboratory assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinglong Wu
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Texas Children's Microbiome Center, Department of Pathology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Tor C Savidge
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Texas Children's Microbiome Center, Department of Pathology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas.
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Ultrasensitive Clostridioides difficile Toxin Testing for Higher Diagnostic Accuracy. J Clin Microbiol 2020; 58:JCM.01913-19. [PMID: 32269098 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01913-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently available diagnostic tests for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) lack specificity or sensitivity, which has led to guideline recommendations for multistep testing algorithms. Ultrasensitive assays for detection of C. difficile toxins provide measurements of disease-specific markers at very low concentrations. These assays may show improved accuracy compared to that of current testing methods and offer a potential standalone solution for CDI diagnosis, although large studies of clinical performance and accuracy are lacking.
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Emberger J, Hitchcock MM, Markley JD. Diagnostic Stewardship Approaches to Clostridioides difficile Infection in the Era of Two-Step Testing: a Shifting Landscape. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40506-020-00223-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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8
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Pettengill MA. Hindsight Is 2019-the Year in Clinical Microbiology. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 42:87-92. [PMID: 32461708 PMCID: PMC7241978 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2020.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Much changed in clinical microbiology in 2019, and, like the organisms, we, as clinical microbiologists, are responsible to detect, characterize, and teach others about our discipline. Also, it is important for us to adapt to changes in the field. In this review, I highlight some of the papers, practices, and regulatory issues that defined 2019 for our field, from my perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Pettengill
- Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is associated with many gastrointestinal disorders, including gastric cancer, and consensus guidelines recommend eradication after detection. There is a theoretical, yet uninvestigated, concern that HP treatment could increase the risk of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Using the data from a large cohort of patients with HP, we investigated whether HP eradication is associated with CDI. METHODS A retrospective cohort study within the Veterans Health Administration on 38,535 patients (median age 61.8 years; 91.8% men) with detected HP between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 2018 was conducted. Primary outcome was a positive laboratory test for CDI within 3 months of HP detection. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated the following: patient demographics, previous CDI, recent hospitalization, and whether the patient received HP eradication therapy (by antibiotic and regimen, and including proton pump therapy). Secondary analysis of those treated evaluated whether eradication of HP was associated with CDI. RESULTS Among 38,535 patients, 28,818 (74.8%) were treated for HP and 284 (0.74%) developed CDI. In multivariable analysis, prominent factors included hospital discharge within 12 weeks (odds ratio [OR] 2.15; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-3.77) and 4 weeks (OR 3.46; 95% CI: 2.18-5.48), P < 0.001, and previous CDI (OR 12.5; 95% CI: 9.21-17.0, P < 0.001). Treatment of HP was not associated with future CDI. In secondary analysis of those treated, confirmation of eradication was not associated with future CDI (OR 1.49; 95% CI: 0.67-3.29). DISCUSSION In a large study of US patients with HP, we demonstrate that neither treatment nor eradication of HP is associated with CDI. Previous C. difficile infection and recent hospital discharge, established risk factors for CDI, are strongly associated. These findings suggest that treatment should be continued to be prescribed when HP is detected (http://links.lww.com/AJG/B507).
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Evaluation of Cycle Threshold, Toxin Concentration, and Clinical Characteristics of Clostridioides difficile Infection in Patients with Discordant Diagnostic Test Results. J Clin Microbiol 2020; 58:JCM.01681-19. [PMID: 32051264 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01681-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is one of the most common health care-associated infections that can cause significant morbidity and mortality. CDI diagnosis involves laboratory testing in conjunction with clinical assessment. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of various C. difficile tests and to compare clinical characteristics, Xpert C. difficile/Epi (PCR) cycle threshold (CT ), and Singulex Clarity C. diff toxins A/B (Clarity) concentrations between groups with discordant test results. Unformed stool specimens from 200 hospitalized adults (100 PCR positive and 100 negative) were tested by cell cytotoxicity neutralization assay (CCNA), C. diff Quik Chek Complete (Quik Chek), Premier Toxins A and B, and Clarity. Clinical data, including CDI severity and CDI risk factors, were compared between discordant test results. Compared to CCNA, PCR had the highest sensitivity at 100% and Quik Chek had the highest specificity at 100%. Among clinical and laboratory data studied, prevalences of leukocytosis, prior antibiotic use, and hospitalizations were consistently higher across all subgroups in comparisons of toxin-positive to toxin-negative patients. Among PCR-positive samples, the median CT was lower in toxin-positive samples than in toxin-negative samples; however, CT ranges overlapped. Among Clarity-positive samples, the quantitative toxin concentration was significantly higher in toxin-positive samples than in toxin-negative samples as determined by CCNA and Quik Chek Toxin A and B. Laboratory tests for CDI vary in sensitivity and specificity. The quantitative toxin concentration may offer value in guiding CDI diagnosis and treatment. The presence of leukocytosis, prior antibiotic use, and previous hospitalizations may assist with CDI diagnosis, while other clinical parameters may not be consistently reliable.
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Boly FJ, Reske KA, Kwon JH. The Role of Diagnostic Stewardship in Clostridioides difficile Testing: Challenges and Opportunities. Curr Infect Dis Rep 2020; 22:7. [PMID: 33762897 PMCID: PMC7987129 DOI: 10.1007/s11908-020-0715-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Accurate and timely diagnosis of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is imperative to prevent C. difficile transmission and reduce morbidity and mortality due to CDI, but CDI laboratory diagnostics are complex. The purpose of this article is to review the role of laboratory tests in the diagnosis of CDI, and the role of diagnostic stewardship in optimization of C. difficile testing. RECENT FINDINGS Results from C. difficile diagnostic tests should be interpreted with an understanding of the strengths and limitations inherent in each testing approach. Use of highly sensitive molecular diagnostic tests without accounting for clinical signs and symptoms may lead to over-diagnosis of CDI and increased facility CDI rates. Current guidelines recommend a two-step, algorithmic approach for testing. Diagnostic stewardship interventions, such as education, order sets, order search menus, reflex orders, hard and soft stop alerts, electronic references, feedback and benchmarking, decision algorithms, and predictive analytics may help improve use of C. difficile laboratory tests and CDI diagnosis. The diagnostic stewardship approaches with the highest reported success rates include computerized clinical decision support (CCDS) interventions, face-to-face feedback, and real-time evaluations. SUMMARY CDI is a clinical diagnosis supported by laboratory findings. Together, clinical evaluation combined with diagnostic stewardship can optimize the accurate diagnosis of CDI.
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High Agreement Between an Ultrasensitive Clostridioides difficile Toxin Assay and a C. difficile Laboratory Algorithm Utilizing GDH-and-Toxin Enzyme Immunoassays and Cytotoxin Testing. J Clin Microbiol 2020; 58:JCM.01629-19. [PMID: 31776192 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01629-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Singulex Clarity C. diff toxins A/B (Clarity) assay is an automated, ultrasensitive immunoassay for the detection of Clostridioides difficile toxins in stool. In this study, the performance of the Clarity assay was compared to that of a multistep algorithm using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for detection of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and toxins A and B arbitrated by a semiquantitative cell cytotoxicity neutralization assay (CCNA). The performance of the assay was evaluated using 211 residual deidentified stool samples tested with a GDH-and-toxin EIA (C. Diff Quik Chek Complete; Techlab), with GDH-and-toxin discordant samples tested with CCNA. The stool samples were stored at -80°C before being tested with the Clarity assay. For samples discordant between Clarity and the standard-of-care algorithm, the samples were tested with PCR (Xpert C. difficile; Cepheid), and chart review was performed. The testing algorithm resulted in 34 GDH+/toxin+, 53 GDH-/toxin-, and 124 GDH+/toxin- samples, of which 39 were CCNA+ and 85 were CCNA- Clarity had 96.2% negative agreement with GDH-/toxin- samples, 100% positive agreement with GDH+/toxin+ samples, and 95.3% agreement with GDH+/toxin-/CCNA- samples. The Clarity result was invalid for one sample. Clarity agreed with 61.5% of GDH+/toxin-/CCNA+ samples, 90.0% of GDH+/toxin-/CCNA+ (high-positive) samples, and 31.6% of GDH+/toxin-/CCNA+ (low-positive) samples. The Singulex Clarity C. diff toxins A/B assay demonstrated high agreement with a testing algorithm utilizing a GDH-and-toxin EIA and CCNA. This novel automated assay may offer an accurate, stand-alone solution for C. difficile infection (CDI) diagnostics, and further prospective clinical studies are merited.
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