Expert Perspective
5m Read
October 17, 2025
ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP
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The Need
- 55% of the C. difficile cases are acquired in health care settings (Health care–associated C. difficile infection, HA-CDI)1
- It is associated with an increase in length of hospital stay, high morbidity and mortality resulting in both societal and financial burden2
- Although the accurate and rapid diagnosis of CDI is essential for effective and timely treatment, this remains an unmet clinical need or opportunity for future study in high risk patient populations4
1 Vered L, et al. Health care–associated Clostridioides difficile infection: Learning the perspectives of health care workers to build successful strategies. Am. Jour. of Infec. Con. Volume 52, Issue 3, March 2024, Pages 284-292.
2 Tschudin-Sutter S, et al. Guidance document for prevention of C. difficile infection in acute healthcare settings. Clin Microbiol Infect 2018;24:1051
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
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
- The Xpert C. difficile/Epi test detects the toxin B (tcdB) gene sequence of toxigenic Clostridioides difficile & differentiates the presumptive 027/NAP1/BI-associated markers, in <45 minutes from unformed stool specimen
- Timely detection and differentiation of Clostridioides difficile (CDI) & the epidemic 027 strain optimizes patient management decisions and supports infection control and outbreak prevention measures
The Impact
Rapid and accurate molecular PCR 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% reduction in empiric therapy5
– 48% reduction in contact precautions after a negative result6
– 45% reduction in empiric therapy5
– 48% reduction in contact precautions after a negative result6
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 Guinta MM, et al. Clinical and economic impact of the introduction of a nucleic acid amplification assay for Clostridium difficile. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob. 2017;16(1):77. Published 2017 Dec 4. doi:10.1186/s12941-017-0252-7
* These outcomes have been reported in the literature. The Xpert® C. difficile/Epi test is intended as an aid in the diagnosis of CDI and is not intended to guide treatment or patient management decisions