The C. DIFF QUIK CHEK™ test is a rapid membrane enzyme immunoassay for use as a screening test to detect Clostridium difficile antigen, glutamate dehydrogenase, in fecal specimens from persons suspected of having C. difficile disease. The test does not distinguish toxigenic from nontoxigenic strains of C. difficile. With the use of additional tests that detect C. difficile toxins, the test is to be used as an aid in the diagnosis of C. difficile disease. As with other C. difficile tests, results should be considered in conjunction with the patient history. FOR IN VITRO DIAGNOSTIC USE.
Device Story
Rapid membrane enzyme immunoassay for detection of Clostridium difficile glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) in fecal specimens. Input: diluted fecal sample mixed with antibody-horseradish peroxidase conjugate. Operation: sample-conjugate mixture added to device; GDH binds to conjugate; complexes migrate to membrane; captured by immobilized anti-GDH antibodies in reaction window. Output: visual blue line indicating positive result; control line confirms reagent activity and migration. Used in clinical settings; performed by laboratory personnel. Results aid diagnosis of C. difficile disease when combined with patient history and toxin-detection tests. Benefits: rapid screening for C. difficile presence.
Clinical Evidence
Clinical performance evaluated in 3 studies (n=979). Compared to presumptive bacterial culture, sensitivity was 92.8% and specificity 92.6%. After resolving discrepant results with PCR or other GDH tests, correlation with bacterial culture was 96.9%. Analytical sensitivity is 0.4 ng/mL for GDH. Cross-reactivity testing showed no interference from common intestinal bacteria, pathogens, or viruses. Reproducibility study across three independent labs showed 100% correlation.
Indicated for screening fecal specimens from persons suspected of having C. difficile disease to detect glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) antigen. Does not distinguish toxigenic from nontoxigenic strains; intended as an aid in diagnosis when used with additional toxin-detection tests.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A microorganism differentiation and identification device is a device intended for medical purposes that consists of one or more components, such as differential culture media, biochemical reagents, and paper discs or paper strips impregnated with test reagents, that are usually contained in individual compartments and used to differentiate and identify selected microorganisms. The device aids in the diagnosis of disease.
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510(k) SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCE DETERMINATION
DECISION SUMMARY
DEVICE ONLY TEMPLATE
A. 510(k) Number:
K053572
B. Purpose of Submission:
For the detection of the Clostridium difficile common antigen glutamate dehydrogenase in human stool
C. Measurand:
glutamate dehydrogenase antigen
D. Type of Test:
Horizontal flow enzyme immunoassay
E. Applicant:
Tech Lab®, Inc.
F. Proprietary and Established Names:
C. DIFF QUIK CHEK™
G. Regulatory Information:
1. Regulation section:
21 CFR Part 866.2660 Microorganism Differentiation and Identification Device
2. Classification:
I
3. Product Code:
MCB – Antigen, Clostridium difficile.
4. Panel:
83 Microbiology
H. Intended Use:
1. Intended use(s):
The C. DIFF QUIK CHEK™ test is a rapid membrane enzyme immunoassay for use as a screening test to detect Clostridium difficile antigen, glutamate dehydrogenase, in fecal specimens from persons suspected of having C. difficile disease. The test does not distinguish toxigenic from nontoxigenic strains of C. difficile. With the use of additional tests that detect C. difficile toxins, the test is to be used as an aid in the diagnosis of C. difficile disease. As with other C. difficile tests, results should be considered in conjunction with the patient history.
FOR IN VITRO DIAGNOSTIC USE.
2. Indication(s) for use:
The C. DIFF QUIK CHEK™ test is a rapid membrane enzyme immunoassay for use as a screening test to detect Clostridium difficile antigen, glutamate dehydrogenase, in fecal specimens from persons suspected of having C. difficile disease. The test does not distinguish toxigenic from nontoxigenic strains of C. difficile. With the use of additional tests that detect C. difficile toxins, the test is to be used as an aid in the diagnosis of C. difficile disease. As with other C. difficile tests, results should be considered in conjunction with the patient history.
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FOR IN VITRO DIAGNOSTIC USE.
3. Special condition for use statement(s):
For Prescription Use Only
4. Special instrument Requirements:
Not applicable
# I. Device Description:
The C. DIFF QUIK CHEK™ test is a rapid membrane enzyme immunoassay that utilizes antibodies specific for the antigen, glutamate dehydrogenase, of C. difficile. The device contains a Reaction Window with two vertical lines of immobilized antibodies. The test line contains antibodies against C. difficile glutamate dehydrogenase. The control line contains anti-IgG antibodies. The Conjugate consists of antibodies to glutamate dehydrogenase coupled to horseradish peroxidase.
# J. Substantial Equivalence Information:
1. Predicate device name(s):
Triage® Clostridium difficile Panel
2. Predicate K number(s):
K974881
3. Comparison with predicate(s):
| Similarities | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Item | Device | Predicates |
| Intended use | an in vitro diagnostic product for the detection of Clostridium difficile in fecal specimens | same |
| Specimen type | fecal specimens | same |
| technology | Enzyme Immunoassay | same |
| Level of skill | Moderately complex | same |
| | Differences | |
| Item | Device | Predicates |
| Limit of detection | 0.8 ng/ml | 2.0 ng/ml |
| Clinical sensitivity | 92.8% CI (88.3% -95.7%) | 91.1% CI (85.8-96.4%) |
| Clinical specificity | 92.6% CI (90.4% - 94.3%) | 93.0% CI (90.7-95.4%) |
# K. Standard/Guidance Document referenced (if applicable):
N/A
# L. Test Principle:
The C. DIFF QUIK CHEK™ test is a rapid membrane enzyme immunoassay that utilizes antibodies specific for the antigen, glutamate dehydrogenase, of C. difficile. The device contains a Reaction Window with two vertical lines of immobilized antibodies. The test line ("T") contains antibodies against C. difficile glutamate dehydrogenase. The control line ("C") contains anti-IgG antibodies. The Conjugate consists of antibodies to glutamate dehydrogenase coupled to horseradish peroxidase. To perform the test, the sample is added to a tube containing a mixture of Diluent and Conjugate. The diluted sample-conjugate mixture is added to the Sample Well and the device is allowed to incubate at room temperature for 15 minutes. During the incubation, any glutamate
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dehydrogenase in the sample binds to the antibody-peroxidase conjugate. The antigen-antibody-conjugate complexes migrate through a filter pad to a membrane where they are captured by the immobilized glutamate dehydrogenase-specific antibodies in the line. The Reaction Window is subsequently washed with Wash Buffer, followed by the addition of Substrate. After a 10 minute incubation period, the "T" reaction is examined visually for the appearance of a vertical blue line on the "T" side of the Reaction Window. A blue line indicates a positive test. A positive "C" reaction, indicated by a vertical blue line on the "C" side of the Reaction Window, confirms that the test is working properly and the results are valid.
## M. Performance Characteristics (if/when applicable):
### 1. Analytical performance:
a. Precision/Reproducibility:
A total of eight fecal specimens, 6 positive and 2 negative were coded to prevent identification and were sent to each of three independent laboratories for analysis using the C. DIFF QUIK CHEK™ test. The results from each laboratory were compared with in-house results. The positive specimens were confirmed to be positive and the negative specimens were confirmed to be negative at each site.
b. Linearity/assay reportable range:
Not applicable
c. Traceability (controls, calibrators, or method):
Not applicable
d. Detection limit:
The limit of detection of the C. DIFF QUIK CHEK™ test is 0.4 ng/mL.
e. Analytical specificity:
Fecal specimens inoculated with the following microorganisms to a final concentration of approximately 10⁸ or higher organisms per mL did not react in the C. DIFF QUIK CHEK™ test:
**Bacteria**: Aeromonas hydrophila, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacteroides fragilis, Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter fetus, Campylobacter jejuni, Candida albicans, Clostridium bifermentans, Clostridium butyricum, Clostridium perfringens Type A, Clostridium septicum, Clostridium sordellii (toxigenic and nontoxigenic), Clostridium sporogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli EIEC, Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli 0157 H7, Escherichia coli ETEC, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella flexneri, Shigella sonnei, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus aureus (Cowans), Staphylococcus epidermidis, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Yersinia enterocolitica.
The following viruses of 10³.³ to 10⁷.⁵ TCID units per 0.2 mL did not react in the C. DIFF QUIK CHEK™ test:
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Viruses: Adenovirus types 1,2,3,5,40,41, Human coronavirus, Coxsackievirus B2,B3,B4,B5, Echovirus 9,11,18,22,33, Enterovirus type 68,69,70,71.
The following substances had no effect on test results when present in feces in the concentrations indicated: mucin (3.5% w/v), human blood (40% v/v), barium sulfate (5% w/v), Imodium® (5% w/v), Kaopectate® (5 mg/mL), Pepto-Bismol® (5% w/v), steric/palmitic acid (fecal fats, 40% w/v), Metronidazole (0.25% w/v), Vancomycin (0.25% w/v)
f. Assay cut-off
The assay cut-off of the C. DIFF QUIK CHEK™ test is 0.8 ng/mL.
## 2. Comparison studies:
a. Method comparison with gold standard:
The C. DIFF QUIK CHEK™ test was compared to the bacterial culture test at two clinical laboratories and in-house at TECHLAB®, Inc.
Specimens included in the evaluation were submitted to the clinical laboratories for routine testing. The presumptive bacterial culture test was performed according to the in-house procedures. The results are shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Summary of clinical performance comparing C. DIFF QUIK CHEK™ test to presumptive bacterial culture
| n=979 | Presumptive Bacterial Culture positive | Presumptive Bacterial Culture negative |
| --- | --- | --- |
| C. DIFF QUIK CHEK™ positive | 206 | 56 |
| C. DIFF QUIK CHEK™ negative | 16 | 701 |
| | | 95% Confidence Limits |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sensitivity | 92.8% | 88.3% - 95.7% |
| Specificity | 92.6% | 90.4% - 94.3% |
| Predictive Positive Value | 78.6% | 73.1% - 83.3% |
| Predictive Negative Value | 97.8% | 96.3% - 98.7% |
| Correlation | 92.6% | 91.7% - 93.4% |
Discrepant samples were resolved using commercial tests for C. difficile glutamate dehydrogenase in ELISA or membrane test formats, or by a research PCR assay for the detection of C. difficile GDH gene gluD. Twenty-nine of the 56 apparent false positive samples were positive by another GDH test, and were considered true positives. Twenty-seven remained false positive. Thirteen of the 16 apparent false negative samples were negative by another GDH test, and were considered true negatives. Three remained false negative.
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b. Matrix comparison:
Not applicable
3. Clinical studies:
a. Clinical sensitivity:
The C. DIFF QUIK CHEK™ test was compared to the bacterial culture test at two clinical laboratories and in-house at TECHLAB®, Inc. Specimens included in the evaluation were submitted to the clinical laboratories for routine testing. The presumptive bacterial culture test was performed according to the in-house procedures. Of the 979 specimens analyzed by culture, 206 were positive for *Clostridium difficile*. Results are summarized in Tables 1. (See table above)
b. Clinical specificity:
Refer to (a.) above
c. Other clinical supportive data (when a and b is not applicable):
Not applicable
4. Clinical cut-off:
The clinical cut-off of this assay is approximately 0.4 ng/mL. This limit does not vary from solid to liquid/semi-solid stool.
5. Expected values/Reference range: (Interpretive Criteria)
*Clostridium difficile* disease is primarily a nosocomial disease of elderly patients, and the frequency of the disease is dependent on factors such as patient population, type of institution and epidemiology. The reported incidence of *C. difficile* disease in patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea may range from 5 to 20%, and hospitals may experience rates lower or higher than this range. It is important to consider any test results in conjunction with clinical symptoms because some healthy adults and large numbers of healthy infants (up to 50%) will be positive for *C. difficile* toxin. In addition, *C. difficile* carriage rates of 22 to 32% have been reported in cystic fibrosis patients. Because the *C. DIFF QUIK CHEK™* test detects both toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains of *C. difficile*, the expected values of this test are higher compared to that of any toxin test. A positive result in the *C. DIFF QUIK CHEK™* test confirms the presence of *C. difficile* in a fecal specimen; a negative result indicates the absence of the organism. A positive result should be followed by a toxin-specific test to confirm the presence of toxigenic *C. difficile*. The prevalence of a positive *C. DIFF QUIK CHEK™* test at an independent study site was 18.2% (N=578).
N. Conclusion:
The submitted information in this premarket notification is complete and supports a substantial equivalence decision.
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Part 1 — Search, results, and everyday workflows 16 min
Part 2 — Embeddings: the galaxy map 3 min
1. Search: exact and fuzzy
Type a phrase like "coronary artery calcification" into the search box. You get two kinds of results. Exact results match the literal phrase — prefix searches work ("coronary artery calcificati") but suffix searches do not. Fuzzy results match on the meaning and intent of your phrase rather than the exact words, and are sorted by relevance score. Hover over the Exact or Fuzzy badge on any row to see exactly why it matched.
Use the checkboxes above the results to narrow: SaMD keeps only software-only devices, AI / ML keeps only devices with AI.
Exact vs. fuzzy search: what's the difference?
Exact matches on the literal phrase (prefix search works, suffix does not). Fuzzy matches on the meaning and intent of the phrase rather than the exact words. Hover over the badge on any row to see why it matched.
You search "coronary artery calcification" and want only software devices with AI. What two filters do you apply?
Narrow by SaMD (software-only devices), then narrow by AI/ML (devices with AI).
2. The results table
Scroll right in the results table. The intended use is extracted for you — no need to open the PDF. The device story gives a high-level snapshot of what the device does and how it's used. The AI Performance sub-table shows each output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, and development/test dataset descriptions — the same format Innolitics uses for regulatory strategy outputs, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. It is AI-generated but has been very reliable in practice.
Where do you find a device's intended use without opening the PDF?
Scroll right in the search results table. The intended use column is extracted for you; no need to dig into the 510(k) summary PDF.
What does the AI Performance sub-table show, and why is it useful?
Output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, development dataset description, and test dataset description. It's the same format we use for regulatory strategy output and Fast 510(k) input, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. AI-generated but reliable in practice.
3. Judging fuzzy relevance
Fuzzy results trail off in relevance as you scroll. Use three signals to decide how far down to go: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether your target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, you're past the relevant zone. A top hit with a low score (~0.4) and a stretched explanation is a hint the closest predicates are far away — the project may be headed for De Novo. Note the fuzzy search is a pattern match: it doesn't handle negation ("not") well, and hardware devices can appear — filter by SaMD/AI ML to cut them.
How do you judge how far down fuzzy search results to go?
Use the relevancy signals: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether the target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, results are trailing off in relevancy.
4. Device detail page: chat and citations
Click a device name to open its detail page: device facts on the left, a chat window on the right. Ask something like "Describe the training data". The answer carries little citation bubbles — click one to jump to the highlighted passage in the source PDF, so you can verify every AI answer against the document. There's also a Download PDF button for sharing.
How do you verify an AI chat answer on the device detail page?
Click the citation bubbles to jump to the relevant highlight in the source document.
Reading rule for every project: how many summaries do you read in full?
At least the three most relevant 510(k) or De Novo summaries, in full. After that, use targeted chat questions to confirm your memory quickly. The tool supports this professional habit — it doesn't replace it.
5. Side-by-side comparison
Select multiple rows in the results table (aim for under ~10), then open the PDF Viewer tab. Ask one question — it goes to all selected devices in parallel, each with citations. This is the fastest way to compare and contrast devices: training data, PCCP scope, how they handled adding new scanners, and so on.
What does the side-by-side PDF viewer mode do?
Select multiple devices, open the PDF viewer tab, and ask one question (e.g., "Describe the training data"). It queries all selected devices simultaneously with citations, so you can compare and contrast quickly.
6. Collections
With rows selected, go to the Collections tab and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). Reload that selection any time — before a client call, pull up the collection and ask questions across all of its devices at once.
How do you save a set of selected devices for later use?
Select the rows, go to the Collections tab, and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). You can reload the selection anytime and carry it into the PDF viewer and other tabs that support selections.
7. Product codes and the regulations tree
Click a product code in the results to jump to it in the regulations tree — identification text, sibling product codes, and devices you can open in a PDF viewer on the right. Click a regulation number to see its identification, special controls, and related product codes. You can also search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree. Always read the special controls if any exist for your device — it broadens your search and sharpens pre-kickoff research.
What can you do from the regulations tree view?
Browse product codes and regulation numbers, read the identification text and special controls, browse sibling product codes, open device PDFs on the right, and search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree.
8. Chart view
Click Show Chart and segment by regulation number (or product code) to see which regulations dominate your result set. Clicking a regulation takes you into the regulations tree. Great for spotting that most matches are, say, hardware laparoscopic devices — a cue to go back and filter.
How do you see which regulations dominate a search result set?
Click "Show Chart" and segment by Regulation Number. Clicking a regulation takes you to the regulations tree.
9. The predicate graph
Open the Predicates tab for a family-tree view of predicate relationships. Click a node to trace its parents and children; selections from search carry over pre-selected. Commonly predicated devices are worth reading — a lot of people predicated them for a reason. The visual lineage is also handy on client calls, e.g. to show how a predicate family evolved and justify why your predicate still holds.
In the predicate graph, why are commonly predicated devices worth reading?
A lot of people predicated them for a reason. Clicking a node traces parents and children, and selections from search carry over pre-selected.
10. Embeddings: the galaxy map
The Embeddings tab plots every matching document in a 2-D "galaxy map" where semantically similar devices cluster together. Hover or click clusters to explore, and let AI label the clusters for you. Embeddings beat product codes for grouping: two devices can carry different product codes (LLZ vs. QIH) yet do the same thing — the embedding captures the meaning of the intended use and device story. This is also exactly how retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) works under the hood, and it makes a great visual on client calls.
Try it yourself
Head to the search page and work through a few of these AI/ML fuzzy searches to build intuition: perivascular fat on CT · aortic valve calcification opportunistic screening on noncontrast CT · breast cancer prediction on digital pathology slides · autism detection · gestational age prediction · a hearing aid that can also detect a pulse · foundation model based analysis of ECG · large language models · penetration test. Watch how the relevance scores, intended use, and AI Performance tables tell you when results stop being meaningful.