Evaluation of four immunoenzymatic tests for detecting Clostridium difficile toxins A and B

Four immunoenzymatic tests for detecting Clostridium difficile toxins A and B were studied: two rapid tests (Tox A/B QUIK CHEK-Techlab (R) and NoviView (R) Toxine-A-Hiss diagnostics) and two Elisa tests (C. difficile TOX A/B II-Techlab (R) and Toxin A+B Elisa Test, Novitec (R)-Hiss diagnostics). The results were compared to those obtained with ImmunoCard Tox A+B -ICTAB (Meridian (R)), C. difficile Toxine A (Oxoid (R)) for rapid test and Elisa Premier A+B Meridian for Elisa. A total of 41 stools and 16 isolates were studied with rapid tests. On stools, the sensitivity and specificity of QUIK CHEK test was 94,1% and 100% respectively compared to the test ICTAB. On the isolates, sensitivity and specificity was 100%. With the Noviview test, the sensitivity on stools and isolates was respectively 88,2 and 85,7% and the specificity was 100% compared to Oxoid (R). A total of 38 stools were studied with Elisa tests. With Techlab (R). test compared to the test Premier, sensitivity and specificity was 100%. The Novitec test gave five false negative reactions with consequently a sensitivity of 70,6%. (c) 2006 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits reserves.