Automated Test Detects Clostridium difficile A and B Toxins

A new automated and standardized test for both Clostridium difficile A and B toxins will increase detection sensitivity and reliability.

With results in just 75 minutes (as opposed to 24 to 48 hours using the reference method), this test enables faster therapeutic decision-making and patient isolation measures that will help prevent all types of transmission. Performing the test on the Vidas system will provide laboratories with a fully automated and standardized solution. In addition, combining the detection of both A and B-toxins will increase detection-sensitivity and reliability.

C. difficile has been responsible for fatal nosocomial epidemics in Canada, the United States, and more recently in Europe. It is an extremely contagious bacterium, owing to the persistence of spores on inert surfaces--it requires aggressive measures of patient isolation, hygiene, and disinfection.

The new test for this bacterium was launched by bioMérieux (Marcy l'Etoile, France) and is performed on the Vidas C difficile Toxin A and B system.

Stéphane Bancel, CEO of bioMérieux, stated, "The introduction of this automated test offers a new solution to detect, prevent, and better control hospital-acquired infections. These are a major worry for any health professional and any hospitalized patient, and are part of the key pathologies identified in our strategic plan.”

The test is the latest addition to the diagnostic product line of the company, which includes a specific culture medium C. difficile agar, identification with the API 20A strip, antibiogram with the ATB anaerobic strip, and bacterial genotyping with the DiversiLab system.


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