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Is Repeat PCR Needed for Diagnosis of Clostridium difficile Infection? JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY Luo, R. F., Banaei, N. 2010; 48 (10): 3738-3741

Abstract

Patients with diarrhea, defined as loose or watery stool, and two or more Clostridium difficile tcdB PCR tests within 14 days of each other were investigated. Repeat PCR for 293 patients with a prior negative result yielded negative results in 396 (97.5%) of 406 tests. Ten new positives were detected, including one false positive. Repeat PCR within 7 days appears rarely useful, except for patients with evidence of a new infection.

View details for DOI 10.1128/JCM.00722-10

View details for Web of Science ID 000282544700042

View details for PubMedID 20686078

View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2953130