The Xpert C. difficile/Epi assay detects toxin gene sequences associated with an epidemic strain of the bacterium in a person’s stool. The test is produced by Cepheid, a company based in Sunnydale, Calif. According to the FDA, the test should not be used to determine or monitor treatment.
According to the FDA, C. diff infection cause diarrhea and intestinal inflammation and can cause complications including colitis.
Read the Bloomberg Businessweek report on C. diff.
Read more on infection control:
–Intercell and Merck Halt Patient Enrollment in MRSA Vaccine Test
–Failure in Sterilization Process Led to Alabama IV Infections
–Cataract Extraction: One Area of Infection Risk and Surveillance Focus
