Toxigenic Clostridium difficile is the most common causative agent of nosocomial and antibiotic-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. Two toxins, toxin A and toxin B, are implicated in disease; most toxigenic strains produce both toxins.
This LightCycler PCR assay detects the presence of Clostridium difficile and the toxin B gene.
DNA is directly extracted from stool specimens and C. difficile 16S DNA and toxin B DNA are amplified on Lightcycler real-time PCR platform. The identity of the sequence is confirmed by monitoring binding of specific fluorescent probes to each of the amplicons and subsequent melting-point analysis.
For interesting cases emplyoying this test methodology, please see our Clinical Significance page.
