C. Difficile (Clostridium Difficile)
Rapid CDIATM C. Difficile kits are intended for the detection of Clostridium difficile infection by detecting Clostridium Difficile Toxin A and Toxin B.
C. difficile is an opportunistic, toxin-producing bacterial pathogen of the gastrointestinal tract and is among the top three hospital-acquired infections in North America. C. difficile is a normal component of human intestinal flora. It becomes problematic when antibiotic therapy eliminates much of the intestinal flora, thereby facilitating its proliferation. Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) can result in gastrointestinal problems ranging from mild diarrhea to fulminant colitis. Disease-causing C. difficile may produce one or both of two toxins (A and B) that cause the death of intestinal epithelial cells. C. difficile strains expressing high levels of toxins A and B may be more virulent than those expressing lower levels of toxins. Toxins are produced only during specific phases of bacterial growth and proliferation.
