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 and NoviView Toxine-A-Hiss diagnostics) and two Elisa tests (C. difficile TOX A/B II -Techlab and Toxin A+B Elisa Test, Novitec-Hiss diagnostics). The results were compared to those obtained with ImmunoCard Tox A+B -ICTAB (Meridian), C. difficile Toxine A (Oxoid) 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. A total of 38 stools were studied with Elisa tests. With Techlab 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%.