Rapid quality control test SC-0470-25

glutamate dehydrogenaseClostridium difficilefeces

The Clostridium difficile rapid test is a rapid immunochromatographic test for the qualitative detection of Clostridium difficile GDH in human stool samples. The limit of detection was assessed by diluting a purified GDH preparation and the results show that the detected protein concentration is 1ng/mL. The Clostridium test allows the specific detection of C. difficile GDH in faecal samples. Samples with a positive Clostridium test result will require further testing for bacterial toxicity. Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic bacterium that acts as an opportunistic pathogen: it grows in the intestine when the normal flora is altered by antibiotic therapy. Some toxinogenic forms of Clostridium difficile cause infections from mild diarrhea to pseudomembranous colitis, potentially leading to death. The disorder is caused by two toxins produced by the toxinogenic forms of C. difficile: Toxin A (enterotoxin damages tissues) and Toxin B (cytotoxin). Some types produce both toxins A and B, others produce only Toxin B. The potential role of a third (binary) toxin in pathogenicity is still a matter of debate. The use of Glutamate Dehydrogenase (GDH) as an antigenic marker of the proliferation of C. difficile has proven to be very effective since all types produce high amounts of this enzyme. The Clostridium test allows the specific detection of C. difficile GDH in faecal samples. Samples with a positive Clostridium test result will require further testing for bacterial toxicity. The test is ready for use and is based on a membrane technology with colloidal gold. A nitrocellulose membrane is sensitized with an antibody directed against the Clostridium difficile antigen (GDH).