Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Automated Microbial Diagnostics

Automated Microbial Diagnostics

Automated diagnostic analyzers have transformed clinical microbiology by providing rapid and reliable methods for pathogen identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Among these systems, the Vitek 2 is widely used because it automates the traditionally labor-intensive processes of microbial identification (ID) and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST), delivering standardized and timely results that are essential for effective patient care.Microbial Identification with ID CardsThe...

Antimicrobial Effectiveness

Antimicrobial Effectiveness

The effectiveness of antimicrobial agents depends on various factors influencing their ability to eliminate microbial populations. Larger microbial populations require more time for complete eradication, emphasizing the importance of population size analysis when evaluating antimicrobial efficacy.Microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents varies significantly. Highly resilient microorganisms include endospores, gram-negative bacteria, and non-enveloped viruses, while prions are exceptionally...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Stewarding the future: leadership, innovation, and the next chapter of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance prevention.

Antimicrobial stewardship & healthcare epidemiology : ASHE·2026

Same author

Vaccines for healthcare personnel: a core safety measure a position statement from the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA).

Infection control and hospital epidemiology·2026

Same author

Detecting healthcare-associated transmission and antifungal resistance in <i>Candida auris</i> via whole genome sequencing.

Journal of clinical microbiology·2026

Same author

Post-Pandemic Primary Care Burnout Drivers: Interplay of Organizational Constraints, Values (Mis)alignment, and Team-Leader Dynamics.

Journal of healthcare leadership·2026

Same author

Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America supports environmental stewardship and sustainability while protecting patients and healthcare personnel position statement of the SHEA Board.

Antimicrobial stewardship & healthcare epidemiology : ASHE·2026

Same author

Infection surveillance and prevention strategies to detect and prevent postaccess breast tissue expander infections - ADDENDUM.

Infection control and hospital epidemiology·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment

A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment

Published on: May 25, 2017

Antimicrobial prescribing practices in response to different Clostridium difficile diagnostic methodologies.

Emily R M Sydnor¹, Abigail Lenhart, Brandon Trollinger

¹Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. esydnor1@jhmi.edu

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology

|October 21, 2011

Summary

A two-step diagnostic algorithm for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) using rapid polymerase chain reaction testing reduces unnecessary antimicrobial use. However, many confirmed CDI patients still do not receive guideline-recommended treatment.

More Related Videos

Culturing and Maintaining Clostridium difficile in an Anaerobic Environment

Culturing and Maintaining Clostridium difficile in an Anaerobic Environment

Published on: September 14, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 28, 2026

A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment

A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment

Published on: May 25, 2017

Culturing and Maintaining Clostridium difficile in an Anaerobic Environment

Culturing and Maintaining Clostridium difficile in an Anaerobic Environment

Published on: September 14, 2013

Area of Science:

Infectious Diseases
Clinical Microbiology
Health Services Research

Background:

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) poses a significant healthcare challenge, necessitating effective diagnostic strategies.
Antimicrobial stewardship is crucial in managing CDI to prevent resistance and improve patient outcomes.
Current diagnostic approaches for CDI vary, impacting treatment decisions and antimicrobial utilization.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the impact of two distinct diagnostic algorithms on treatment decisions for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI).
To assess antimicrobial use patterns in patients with CDI based on different testing strategies.
To identify adherence to clinical guidelines for CDI treatment.

Main Methods:

Comparative analysis of treatment decisions and antimicrobial prescribing based on two different CDI testing algorithms.
Inclusion of rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmatory testing in one of the evaluated algorithms.
Review of patient data to determine guideline adherence for confirmed CDI cases.

Main Results:

A two-step diagnostic algorithm incorporating rapid PCR confirmatory testing was associated with reduced unnecessary anti-CDI antimicrobial use.
A notable proportion of patients diagnosed with confirmed CDI did not receive treatment in accordance with established clinical guidelines.
The choice of diagnostic algorithm significantly influenced antimicrobial prescribing practices.

Conclusions:

Implementing a two-step diagnostic algorithm with rapid PCR confirmatory testing can optimize antimicrobial use in Clostridium difficile infection management.
There is a critical need to improve adherence to evidence-based treatment guidelines for patients with confirmed CDI.
Diagnostic strategies play a pivotal role in shaping clinical practice and antimicrobial stewardship for CDI.