New Approaches to Diagnostics of C.Difficile Infection

Introduction: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the most common infectious cause of diarrhoea in hospitalised patients. It is a severe issue with increasing incidence in healtcare facilities and commmunities. Early and appropriate testing of CDI is very imortant. There are many different approaches that can be used in the CDI laboratory diagnostics. Recently performed studies evaluated diagnostic algorithms to optimize laboratory CDI diagnostics. The aim of the work was to implement an optimal algorithm of testing methods in CDI diagnostics.

Materials and methods: The retrospective analysis of patients’ samples suspected on CDI was carried out in 2017. The data was analysed from the Laboratory Klinicka Biochemia in Zilina. The application of ESCMID re -commendation criteria for algorithm of testing, together with procedures in laboratory practice was carried out.

Results: The analysis of the data showed that the applied algorithm or testing in CDI and highlighted the importance of preanalytic phase, and the evaluation of testing methods and results, together with clinical findings. Two- and three- step algorithm together with cultivation methods were applied. 87,6% of samples could be eva -luated with positive or negative results according to the 2-step algorhitm. Further samples were assessed and tested by ELISA test or PCR method.

Conclusion: CDI represents a significant burden in healthcare facilities. An early diagnostics and interpretation helps to start the early treatment and helps in surveillence of the infection.