Question

Which of the following is the best way to diagnose Clostridium-associated Diarrhea?

• A. Stool culture
• B. Toxin Demonstration
• C. Blood culture
• D. None of the above

Hint:

Toxin testing for Clostridium difficile is the gold standard for diagnosing C. difficile infection, not just stool culture or blood culture.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The best diagnostic method for Clostridium-associated diarrhea, particularly caused by Clostridium difficile, is through the detection of C. difficile toxins in stool samples. This can be done using enzyme immunoassays or PCR testing for the toxin genes. Stool culture alone is not sufficient for diagnosing C. difficile infection, and blood cultures are typically negative for C. difficile. Toxin demonstration is the most accurate test, but none of the given options alone fully captures the best diagnostic approach.