A Rare Case of Polymerase Chain Reaction-Negative Severe Clostridioides difficile Infection.

Accurately diagnosing infection (CDI) is crucial for effective patient management. A misdiagnosis poses risks to patients, leads to treatment delays, and contributes to infection transmission in healthcare settings. While using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify the toxin B gene is a sensitive method for detecting toxigenic , there is still a risk of false-negative results. These inaccuracies could have significant consequences for diagnosing and treating CDI, emphasizing the need for careful consideration and other diagnostic approaches. This case report highlights a patient with severe CDI who had negative PCR and toxin and a biopsy showing pseudomembranous colitis on further testing due to persistence and worsening of symptoms. In the diagnosis of infection, healthcare providers should consider clinical symptoms, although diarrhea, which is a major sign of CDI, can be due to other causes. Even in the presence of negative PCR results, if a patient displays symptoms consistent with -associated disease, healthcare providers may still contemplate treatment.