How is the epidemic strain detected?
Like other strains of C. difficile, this new strain can be detected in the stool of infected patients by using laboratory tests that are commonly available in most hospitals. However, none of the FDA-approved tests differentiate between the various strains of C. difficile. Fortunately, because the control measures for outbreaks of any strain of C. difficile are similar, identification of the specific strain is not imperative for controlling outbreaks. Is treatment of this epidemic strain different The usual treatment for C. difficile infection includes, if possible, stopping antibiotics being given for other purposes and/or treatment with metronidazole or vancomycin. In order to reduce selective pressure for vancomycin resistance in enterococci, current guidelines recommend the first-line use of metronidazole over vancomycin . However, recent reports suggest that the new strain may not respond as well to treatment with metronidazole despite the absence of laboratory evidence of metroni
