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Performance, workflow similar between C. difficile QS-RGQ kit, Cepheid Xpert test
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The artus Clostridium difficile QS-RGQ Kit, an FDA-approved commercially available CE-Ivd from Qiagen, demonstrated similar performance and workflow to the Cepheid Gene Xpert C. difficile test, according to data presented at ICAAC 2014.
“We compared the artus C. difficile QS-RGQ kit from Qiagen with the Cepheid Gene Xpert and what we found was that both tests perform equally well under routine conditions,” Nathalie Jazmati, MD, University Hospital of Cologne, told Healio.com/Gastroenterology. “Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were similar.”
Nathalie Jazmati
Jazmati and colleagues prospectively tested 199 liquid or loose stool specimens from hospital inpatients using both test kits, and toxigenic culture also was performed as a gold standard. They compared assay results, workflow and hands-on time required.
QS-RGQ had 100% sensitivity vs. 100% for Cepheid Xpert, 89.5% vs. 90.1% for specificity, 60.9% vs. 62.2% for positive predictive value and 100% vs. 100% for negative predictive value compared with toxigenic culture. When considering total positive specimens as the gold standard, sensitivity and NPV of both kits were superior to routine culture plus Toxin A/B enzyme immunoassay. Regarding workflow, both kits were fully automated walk-away systems, requiring minimal hands-on time and delivering fast results.
Choosing which kit is better to use ultimately depends on laboratory environment, clinical demands and platform availability, Jazmati said, as both assays performed equally well under routine conditions. – by Adam Leitenberger
For more information:
Jazmati N. Abstract D-202. Presented at: Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy; Sept. 5-9, 2014; Washington, D.C.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.