Repeat stool testing for Clostridium difficile using enzyme immunoassay in patients with inflammatory bowel disease increases diagnostic yield

Abstract

Background:

The incidence and severity of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing. CDI is diagnosed by toxin enzyme immunoassay (EIA) or real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) performed on stool samples. An earlier study evaluating EIA in IBD patients with CDI suggested that more than one stool sample be tested to increase diagnostic yield. We investigated whether repeat stool testing improves diagnostic accuracy for CDI in hospitalized IBD patients compared to hospitalized patients with CDI and no IBD.