EIA testing questions

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Taraph
New User
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 1:01 pm

EIA testing questions

Postby Taraph » Mon Jan 07, 2019 5:37 pm

Sorry to be a bother. I am in “obsessive info gathering” mode. My healthy 6-yo daughter had a positive EIA toxin a and b stool test, but this was on a solid stool and she hasn’t had D for 11 days at this point. We tested because she HAD v and d for almost 2 weeks due to what the ped thinks was viral, but this c diff test is making me so confused.

I’ve read that the toxin test is sort of the confirmation test and is indicative of an active infection, although I did find one study that noted this test had false positives in 1/3 of a pediatric sample.

I’m just so confused - she is asymptomatic and has been for days. Her (likely viral) D stopped WHILE she was on abx for a UTI, not after it was discontined. Is there a chance the toxin is evident because she is a carrier? Or could it be a false positive? Or, could she have had a mild CDI infection that was self-limiting in the past that was reactivated by the abx she was on when the stool was cultured, even tough she doesn’t have D anymore? Her p

She was prescribed Flagyl but we are holding off on giving anything because she doesn’t have D.

MKW
Regular Contributor
Posts: 392
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2016 9:49 am

Re: EIA testing questions

Postby MKW » Mon Jan 07, 2019 7:17 pm

Hi, based on everything I know after participating on this board since August 2016, you should hold off.
Doctors are supposed to treat based on symptoms. And Flagyl is no longer recommended as treatment - look up current IDSA/SHEA guidelines.
I am sure a moderator that can provide you with clearer facts than me will respond to you soon :-) hang in there.

beth22
Long Time Contributor
Posts: 10852
Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:23 pm

Re: EIA testing questions

Postby beth22 » Tue Jan 08, 2019 2:35 am

I think I answered this same question yesterday, but if she is not having symptoms, then treatment is usually not indicated. I second what MKW said about Flagyl. The side effects can be serious - neurological mostly. If she gets D back again, and still tests positive, I would ask the pediatrician for vanco. But, she seems to be getting better on her own. I treated mild symptoms and then I could not get rid of my c diff and wound up getting FMT.


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