Relationship Between Clostridioides difficile Stool Concentration, Nucleic Acid Amplification Test Results, and Environmental Contamination

Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2026 Open access

Read full text
Authors: Mary Morgan Lee, Kimberly A. Reske, Tiffany Hink, Skye R. S. Fishbein, Erin Newcomer, Candice Cass, Margaret A. Olsen, Gautam Dantas, Carey‐Ann D. Burnham, Erik R. Dubberke
DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofag121
Cited by: 2
References: 10

Abstract

Abstract We compared rectal swab nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) with stool culture to detect Clostridioides difficile colonization and correlated results with environmental contamination. Rectal swab NAAT sensitivity (43%) for detecting toxigenic C. difficile colonization was low. Toxigenic culture-positive patients were more likely to have C. difficile detected in the hospital environment.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens research Infection Control in Healthcare Antibiotic Use and Resistance

Publication details

Journal / source
Open Forum Infectious Diseases
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Volume
13
Issue
4
Pages
ofag121–ofag121
Publication date
28 March 2026
Language
EN