Detection of antigen and toxin in stool specimens: Comparison of the quik chek complete enzyme immunoassay and GeneXpert polymerase chain reaction assay.

Background/aims: Accurate and rapid laboratory diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) remains a significant challenge. A two-step algorithm for detection of toxigenic C. difficile in stool based on initial screening for glutamate dehydrogenase assay followed by confirmation by toxin A+B detection using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) or molecular assay has been proposed.