Rapid, Simultaneous Detection of Clostridium sordellii and Clostridium perfringens in Archived Tissues by a Novel PCR-Based Microsphere Assay: Diagnostic Implications for Pregnancy-Associated Toxic Shock Syndrome Cases

Table 4

Microsphere, PCR, and IHC assay results of CTS cases.

Clostridium cases (no. of cases)	Positive for C. sordellii			Positive for C. perfringens
	IHC*	PCR**	Microsphere assay	IHC*	PCR**	Microsphere assay
C. sordellii  (𝑛=10)	10	10	10	10	0	0
C. perfringens (𝑛=8)	6	0	0	6	8	8
C. sordellii and C. perfringens coinfection (𝑛=2)	2	2	2	2	2	2

*IHC assay is specific for Clostridia but cannot speciate further.
**Conventional PCR assay targeting the phospholipase C gene of C. sordellii and C. perfringens.