Optimal strategies for the diagnosis of community ‐onset diarrhea in solid organ transplant recipients: Less is more

ConclusionsA stepwise testing strategy can reduce costs without compromising diagnostic yields. In the first‐stage testing, we recommend assessment for C. difficile, cytomegalovirus, and food‐borne bacterial pathogens. For persistent diarrheal episodes, second‐stage evaluation should include stool NV PCR, Giardia/Cryptosporidium enzyme immunoassay, stool ova and parasite, reductions in immunosuppressive therapy, and possibly endoscopy. Although NV testing had a relatively low cost per FOR, we recommend NV testing during second‐stage evaluation, as an NV diagnosis may not lead to changes in clinical management or further reductions in length of hospital stay.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Source: Transplant Infectious Disease - February 6, 2017 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: Sonya A. Trinh, Ignacio A. Echenique, Sudhir Penugonda, Michael P. Angarone Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research