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Are There Any Blood Tests To Diagnose Clostridium Difficile Infection?

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Posted on Wed, 3 Jun 2015
Question: Are there any blood test to identify or to verify C.diff infection after being treated with Vancomycin for several weeks? XXXXXXX
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Answered by Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Tests not done routinely to check the effectiveness of treatment.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting your query on HCM.

If the symptoms of Cl.difficille induced infection are controlled after a course of an appropriate antibiotic (like Vancomycin) the tests are usually not recommended.

However the following tests can be done to detect or rule out the infection:

1. Stool analysis for C. difficile toxin

This test detects harmful substance(toxin) produced by the bacteria Clostridium difficile.

2. Polymerase Chain Reaction test:

It is a rapid (results are ready within one hour) and very sensitive method to confirm the presence of C. difficile toxin. However, it is expensive.

When a person treated for antibiotic-associated diarrhea or colitis relapses and symptoms reoccur, C. difficile testing may be ordered to confirm the presence of the toxin.

Hope this answers your query.

Best regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1988

Answered : 6261 Questions

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Are There Any Blood Tests To Diagnose Clostridium Difficile Infection?

Brief Answer: Tests not done routinely to check the effectiveness of treatment. Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for posting your query on HCM. If the symptoms of Cl.difficille induced infection are controlled after a course of an appropriate antibiotic (like Vancomycin) the tests are usually not recommended. However the following tests can be done to detect or rule out the infection: 1. Stool analysis for C. difficile toxin This test detects harmful substance(toxin) produced by the bacteria Clostridium difficile. 2. Polymerase Chain Reaction test: It is a rapid (results are ready within one hour) and very sensitive method to confirm the presence of C. difficile toxin. However, it is expensive. When a person treated for antibiotic-associated diarrhea or colitis relapses and symptoms reoccur, C. difficile testing may be ordered to confirm the presence of the toxin. Hope this answers your query. Best regards.