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A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment
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Correlation between tcdB gene PCR cycle threshold and severe Clostridium difficile disease

M A De Francesco1, G Lorenzin2, G Piccinelli1

  • 1Institute of Microbiology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia-Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy.

Anaerobe
|June 30, 2019
PubMed

Insights

A retrospective study found that a cycle threshold (CT) value of 26 or less in Clostridium difficile testing is linked to severe disease. Lower CT values also correlated with older patients and increased white blood cell counts.

Area of Science:

  • Clinical microbiology
  • Infectious diseases
  • Diagnostic markers

Background:

  • Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a significant cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea.
  • Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for effective patient management.
  • Identifying predictive markers for disease severity can aid in clinical decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between Clostridium difficile testing cycle threshold (CT) values and disease severity.
  • To explore correlations between CT values and patient demographics or clinical parameters.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of Clostridium difficile test samples from 2015 to 2018.
  • Classification of patients into mild/moderate (222 patients) and severe (199 patients) disease groups.
  • Statistical analysis to determine associations between CT values and disease severity, age, and leukocytosis.

Main Results:

  • A cycle threshold (CT) value less than or equal to 26 was significantly associated with severe Clostridium difficile disease.
  • Lower CT values demonstrated a significant correlation with older patient age.
  • Low CT values were also significantly associated with elevated white blood cell counts (leukocytosis).

Conclusions:

  • Cycle threshold values in Clostridium difficile testing can serve as a potential indicator of disease severity.
  • Lower CT values may predict more severe outcomes in Clostridium difficile infections.
  • CT values, alongside patient age and leukocytosis, could contribute to risk stratification for CDI patients.
Keywords:
Cycle thresholdLeukocytosisPCR

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