Evaluation of a commerical latex test for Clostridium difficile for reactivity with C. difficile and cross-reactions with other bacteria

Abstract

Seventy-eight species of bacteria (739 isolates) were tested for reactivity with a commercial latex test for Clostridium difficile. All noncytotoxic as well as cytotoxic strains of C. difficile reacted positively. Immunospecific cross-reactions were found only with C. sporogenes, proteolytic C. botulinum, and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius.