Question

Which of the following is considered to be the best for the detection of Clostridium difficile?

• A. Aerobic culture of stool
• B. Glutamate dehydrogenase and toxin assay
• C. Glutamate dehydrogenase assay
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

For the detection of Clostridium difficile, the glutamate dehydrogenase and toxin assay is considered the best method. Here's why:

• Clostridium difficile is a bacterium responsible for causing infections, especially in healthcare settings, leading to symptoms ranging from diarrhea to life-threatening colitis.
• The detection involves identifying not only the presence of the bacterium but also its toxin production, which is key to confirming infection and determining its potential severity.
• The glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) assay serves as an initial screening test. GDH is an enzyme produced by all strains of C. difficile. A positive GDH result indicates the presence of the bacterium but not necessarily the presence of toxins.
• Hence, the test is often paired with a toxin assay, which identifies the toxins (toxin A and B) that cause symptoms. Detecting these toxins confirms the pathogenic capability of the bacterial strain.
• In summary, the combination of GDH and toxin assays together provides a comprehensive and reliable method for diagnosing C. difficile infections effectively. This is why it is considered superior to other methods like aerobic culture of stool, which may not directly assess toxin production.