COMPARISON OF TECHLAB CLOSTRIDIUM-DIFFICILE TOX-A ENZYME-IMMUNOASSAY AND BARTELS-PRIMA SYSTEM TOXIN-A EIA

We evaluated the Bartels Clostridium difficile toxin A test and the Te chLab Tox-A test to detect C. difficile toxin A in stool. The results were compared with C. difficile cytotoxicity assays. Of the 463 specim ens tested 82 (17.7%) tested positive by cytotoxicity assay. The sensi tivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of th e TechLab EIA were 86.6%, 93.7%, 74.7%, and 97.0%, respectively. For t he Bartels Prima EIA, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negat ive predictive values were 95.1%, 95.5%, 82.1%, and 98.9%, respectivel y. The differences in sensitivity were statistically significant. Inde terminate results requiring repeat testing were more common with the T echLab EIA than with the Bartels Prima EIA. Of the two kits, the Barte ls EIA is preferable, primarily because of its increased sensitivity.