Evaluation of Clostridium difficile Toxin B Results by Polymerase Chain Reaction from Stool Specimens

Abstract

Objective: Clostridium difficile is a Gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium that spreads via the fecal-oral route and causes asymptomatic carriage or mild diarrheal diseases such as pseudomembranous enterocolitis. C. difficile is the commonest cause of nosocomial and antibiotic-associated diarrhea in North America and Europe. It can produce two toxins called A and B. Strains producing toxins can lead to a more serious disease picture that causes megacolon, perforation or septic shock. The use of molecular methods with high specificity and SONUÇLARININ DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ method. The data obtained are interpreted as positive, negative or invalid results. Results: A total of 109 samples were tested. 66 (61%) of the stool samples belonged to male and 43 (39%) female patients. Twenty-five (23%) of the patients were under the age of 18 and 36 (33%) under the age of 18 years. Of the samples, 26 (24%) were from intensive care units, 60 (55%) were from services and 23 (21%) were from polyclinics. It was found 109 from stool samples. 9 (8%), C. difficile PCR test toxin B positive, 100 (92%) negative. Conclusion: The most important cause of nosocomial diarrhea is C. difficile . The main predisposing factor of infection is the use of antibiotics. Prophylaxis or even one dose of antibiotic therapy may be sufficient for the development of C. difficile infection. Rapid and accurate diagnosis by PCR is important for early initiation yaş