RIH, Brown researchers identify components in C. difficile that may lead to new diagnostic tools

摘要

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Is- land Hospital researchers have identified compo- nents in Clostridium dif- ficile (C. diff) that may lead to new diagnostic tools. The study is pub- lished online in advance of print in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics. "With the emergence of a more severe C. diff strain (NAP1/027/B1), there is an urgent need for a highly sensitive and rapid method of detection and strain typing," said LEONARD MERMEL, DO , medical director of the department of epidemiology and in- fection control at Rhode Island Hospital. "The assay we have developed has the potential to quickly and accurately indicate the presence of specific markers of certain hypervirulent strains of C. diff. We believe that rapid identification of this bacterium will assist in timely initiation of antimicrobial therapy and ad- mission to a setting where the patient is more appropriately ob- served based on his or her signs, symptoms and strain of bacteria causing the infection."