Repeat PCR Screening for Clostridium difficile: When and for Whom?

A previous diagnosis of CDI was the only factor significantly associated with positive results on PCR testing repeated ≤7 days after an initial negative screen.

Because of the high sensitivity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and the low likelihood of obtaining a positive result ≤7 days after an initial negative one, repeat testing within this interval has not been advocated. A few patients, however, do test positive within 7 days. In a recent retrospective, single-center, case-control study, researchers examined the characteristics of such patients.

Among the 14,875 PCR screenings performed during the study period, only 1066 (7.2%) represented repeat testing within 7 days. Of these, only 11 (1.0%) tests from 11 patients were positive; the between-test interval ranged from 3 hours to 6 days and 6 hours. In a univariate analysis comparing these 11…

Reviewing Author

Larry M. Baddour, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc. (Authorship duties)

Larry M. Baddour, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc. (Authorship duties)

Repeat PCR Screening for Clostridium difficile: When and for Whom?

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Reviewing Author