DETECTION OF CLOSTRIDIUM-DIFFICILE TOXINS IN STOOLS - COMPARISON BETWEEN A NEW ENZYME-IMMUNOASSAY FOR TOXIN-A AND OTHER ROUTINE TESTS

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of Clostrid ium difficile toxin A (enterotoxin) using a monoclonal antibody is des cribed. No cross-reaction was observed with any of the Clostridium spe cies tested except for toxigenic Clostridium difficile. One hundred an d eight stool specimens from hospitalized patients harbouring C. diffi cile in their intestine and 43 samples negative for C. difficile isola tion were studied to compare this test with a cytotoxicity assay, the isolation of toxigenic C. difficile and the commercial EIA Premier tes t (Meridian). As compared with the cytotoxicity assay and EIA, specifi city was 91 and 100 %, while sensitivity 83 and 74 % respectively. Thi s ELISA technique could be used as a routine test for toxin A detectio n in stools.