Fecal Clostridium difficile Glutamate Dehydrogenase (GDH) is a valuable biomarker used in the screening and diagnosis of C. difficile infections (CDI), particularly in clinical settings where rapid and reliable detection is critical. C. difficile is a gram-positive anaerobic bacterium that commonly causes severe diarrhea, particularly in hospitalized patients undergoing prolonged antibiotic treatment. The infection can lead to life-threatening complications if not promptly identified and managed. GDH, an enzyme abundantly produced by all strains of C. difficile, has emerged as a reliable biomarker due to its stable and high-level expression.
Traditional toxin assays often suffer from limited sensitivity, making them less effective as standalone diagnostic tools. In contrast, GDH detection in fecal samples offers a higher negative predictive value, making it a useful initial screening tool to rule out C. difficile infection. While GDH testing does not differentiate between toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains, its high sensitivity makes it an effective first step in multi-step diagnostic algorithms. Positive GDH results are typically followed by confirmatory tests for C. difficile toxins or toxigenic C. difficile DNA via PCR.
In research and clinical practice, the detection of fecal GDH is essential for effective infection control, particularly in healthcare environments where C. difficile is highly transmissible through contact with contaminated fecal matter. Early and accurate screening helps prevent nosocomial outbreaks and guides timely therapeutic interventions, reducing morbidity and mortality associated with CDI.
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