Publications (2)6.02 Total impact
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Article: Two-stage algorithm for Clostridium difficile: glutamate-dehydrogenase-positive toxin-negative enzyme immunoassay results may require further testing.
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ABSTRACT: This study investigated 102 episodes in which a glutamate dehydrogenase-positive enzyme immunoassay (EIA)-toxin-negative result was obtained with a C. difficile testing protocol. Of these 102 stool samples, 46% were culture positive with a toxigenic strain and nine were followed by an EIA-toxin-positive result within 2-32 days. The data accord with our policy of keeping these patients in side-rooms until asymptomatic and of encouraging treatment of those with otherwise unexplained persistent diarrhoea. Adding a third testing modality [toxigenic culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR)] appears desirable but there may be significant differences in sensitivity between different toxigenic culture or PCR methods.The Journal of hospital infection 02/2013; · 3.01 Impact Factor -
Article: Epidemiological survey of Clostridium difficile ribotypes in the North East of England during an 18-month period.
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ABSTRACT: During an 18-month period, 1606 stool specimens from laboratory-confirmed cases of Clostridium difficile infection in the North East of England were ribotyped using unrestricted polymerase chain reaction. Of these, 87.6% grew C. difficile on culture; 70% had one of 10 recognizable ribotypes of which 001, 106 and 027 were the most prevalent. The proportions of ribotypes 002 and 015 declined during the study period, whereas ribotypes 016 and 023 increased. Ribotype 005 was significantly more numerous in males and ribotype 027 was associated with significantly higher mean age. Our findings differ from national data derived from more selective testing.The Journal of hospital infection 05/2012; 81(3):209-12. · 3.01 Impact Factor
