Expert Perspective
3m Read
July 30, 2026
ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP
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The Need
- Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is amongst the most frequently reported micro-organisms in healthcare associated infections in Europe1
- It is associated with an increase in length of hospital stay, high morbidity and mortality resulting in both societal and financial burden2
- Highly virulent (027-NAP1-BI) strains have caused outbreaks of severe diseasae in Europe and North America and are often resistant to fluoroquinolones3
- Although the accurate and rapid diagnosis of C. difficile is essential for effective and timely treatment, this remains an unmet clinical need4
1 Viprey, V. F., Granata, G., & Vendrik, K. (n.d.). European survey on the current surveillance practices, management ... https://www.journalofhospitalinfection.com/article/S0195-6701(22)00365-6/fulltext.
2 Tschudin-Sutter S, et al. Guidance document for prevention of C. difficile infection in acute healthcare settings. Clin Microbiol Infect 2018;24:1051
3 Markovska, R et al. Clostridioides difficile, a new suberbug, Microorganisms 2023, 11, 845. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11040845
4 Bai Y, Hao Y, Song Z, Chu W, Jin Y, Wang Y. Evaluation of the Cepheid Xpert C. difficile diagnostic assay: an update meta-analysis. Braz J Microbiol. 2021 Dec;52(4):1937-1949.
2 Tschudin-Sutter S, et al. Guidance document for prevention of C. difficile infection in acute healthcare settings. Clin Microbiol Infect 2018;24:1051
3 Markovska, R et al. Clostridioides difficile, a new suberbug, Microorganisms 2023, 11, 845. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11040845
4 Bai Y, Hao Y, Song Z, Chu W, Jin Y, Wang Y. Evaluation of the Cepheid Xpert C. difficile diagnostic assay: an update meta-analysis. Braz J Microbiol. 2021 Dec;52(4):1937-1949.
The Solution
- Xpert C. difficile BT provides detection and differentiation of Clostridioides difficile & the epidemic presumptive 027 strain, with a callout for binary toxin, in 43 minutes from unformed tool specimens
- Fast detection and differentiation of Clostridioides difficile & the epidemic presumptive 027 strain supports patient management decisions, enables timely and appropriate treatment, and supports infection control and outbreak prevention measures4
4 Bai Y, Hao Y, Song Z, Chu W, Jin Y, Wang Y. Evaluation of the Cepheid Xpert C. difficile diagnostic assay: an update meta-analysis. Braz J Microbiol. 2021 Dec;52(4):1937-1949.
5 Peppard W, et al. Implementation of polymerase chain reaction to rule out C. difficile infection is associated with reduced empiric antibiotic duration of therapy. Hosp Pharm. 2014 Jul;49(7):639-43.
6 Casari E, et al. Reducing rates of Clostridium difficile infection by switching to a stand-alone NAAT with clear sampling criteria. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2018 Mar;7(40).
*These outcomes have been reported in the literature
5 Peppard W, et al. Implementation of polymerase chain reaction to rule out C. difficile infection is associated with reduced empiric antibiotic duration of therapy. Hosp Pharm. 2014 Jul;49(7):639-43.
6 Casari E, et al. Reducing rates of Clostridium difficile infection by switching to a stand-alone NAAT with clear sampling criteria. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2018 Mar;7(40).
*These outcomes have been reported in the literature
The Impact
Fast and accurate detection of toxigenic C. difficile is essential to aid diagnostic assessment, support bed management and help reduce opportunities for transmission and outbreaks. It has been associated with*:
– 45% reduced empiric therapy5
– 48% reduced isolation days6
– 45% reduced empiric therapy5
– 48% reduced isolation days6
5 Peppard W, et al. Implementation of polymerase chain reaction to rule out C. difficile infection is associated with reduced empiric antibiotic duration of therapy. Hosp Pharm. 2014 Jul;49(7):639-43.
6 Casari E, et al. Reducing rates of Clostridium difficile infection by switching to a stand-alone NAAT with clear sampling criteria. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2018 Mar;7(40).
*These outcomes have been reported in the literature
6 Casari E, et al. Reducing rates of Clostridium difficile infection by switching to a stand-alone NAAT with clear sampling criteria. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2018 Mar;7(40).
*These outcomes have been reported in the literature