On March 17-18, 2023, the 2023 Beijing Medical Association Intestinal Microecology and Helicobacter Pylori Conference and the 6th Peking Union Medical College Hospital Intestinal Disease Summit successfully took place in Beijing. HTDK presented the TECHLAB C. DIFF QUIK CHEK COMPLETE at the conference, joining peers from around the world to analyze and interpret intestinal diseases. The company showcased the latest equipment and application technologies in various forms, attracting significant attention from top experts both domestically and internationally.

Conference Overview

The conference, hosted by the Beijing Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, the Beijing Medical Association’s Intestinal Microecology and Helicobacter Pylori Branch, and Peking Union Medical College Hospital, is a prominent event in China’s intestinal disease field. Nearly 300 participants from the medical industry attended the conference, which adhered to the philosophy of combining clinical practice with scientific research. Key topics included vasculitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), intestinal microecology and diseases, IBD diagnosis and treatment, and strategies for managing IBD patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

HTDK’s Presentation

HTDK’s Clinical Manager, He Meng, introduced the TECHLAB C.DIFF QUIK CHEK COMPLETE rapid diagnostic test at the conference. He discussed the target population, product advantages, and related clinical research results, garnering widespread interest from attending experts.

The TECHLAB C.DIFF QUIK CHEK COMPLETE is a rapid diagnostic test that can simultaneously detect glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and toxins A/B (using enzyme immunoassay) within 30 minutes.

Context of CDI in IBD

In 2019, China released an expert consensus on IBD combined with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). The incidence of IBD in China has been rising annually, with IBD patients being highly susceptible to CDI. IBD patients exhibit typical symptoms of diarrhea, necessitating differential diagnosis from CDI. Additionally, CDI recurrence in IBD patients is notably high (over 30%), significantly impacting their quality of life and requiring attention from gastroenterology clinical experts.

About Clostridium difficile

Clostridium difficile is a complex and dangerous intestinal pathogen found widely in nature, human and animal intestines, and feces. It is one of the leading pathogens causing hospital-acquired intestinal infections. Clinically, 15%-25% of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, 50%-75% of antibiotic-associated colitis, and 95%-100% of pseudomembranous colitis are attributed to CDI. CDI is caused by the overgrowth of toxin-producing Clostridium difficile, leading to gut flora imbalance and toxin release. Clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic carriage to severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloody stools, and in severe cases, intestinal perforation, bloodstream infections, and even death.

Rising Global Incidence of CDI

The widespread use of antibiotics has led to an increasing global incidence of CDI. Since the early 21st century, the emergence of hypervirulent strains has caused regional outbreaks in North America, Australia, and Europe, leading to a sharp rise in CDI incidence and severity worldwide. In 2013, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed Clostridium difficile as the top antibiotic-resistant threat at the highest emergency level. Despite continuous improvements in hospital infection prevention, the annual CDI infection rate growth remains over 4%, with approximately 453,000 CDI cases, 83,000 recurrences, and 29,300 deaths annually. This situation extends hospital stays and significantly increases healthcare costs. In China, where antibiotic consumption is high, CDI poses a significant health threat.

Conclusion

The presentation and demonstration of the TECHLAB C.DIFF QUIK CHEK COMPLETE test by HTDK at the conference underscore the company’s commitment to providing advanced diagnostic solutions for intestinal diseases. The event facilitated valuable discussions and knowledge exchange, promoting the latest technologies and applications in the field of intestinal disease diagnostics.