Researchers at Rhode Island Hospital (Providence) have developed a new test for Clostridium difficile able to distinguish between strains of varying virulence, according to research published in the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics.
The test is based on rapid identification of genetic material unique to different strains of C. diff, which menaces hospitals, causing diarrhea, complications and even death. The researchers hope the test will help healthcare facilities screen patients for strains of C. diff that cause illness.
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The incidence of C. diff has been on the rise in recent years, and the emergence of an especially severe strain of the bacteria has increased the need for better detection and prevention technology and practices, according to a Heart Transplant Death Risk Varies 900%.
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