What bacterium can be detected through a fecal culture and sensitivity test?

Clostridium difficile (C-diff) is a bacterium commonly associated with gastrointestinal disorders, particularly antibiotic-associated diarrhea and colitis. A fecal culture and sensitivity test is designed to identify bacterial pathogens present in the stool, and C. difficile can be grown in a laboratory setting from fecal samples.

C. difficile is known for producing toxins that can damage the intestinal lining, leading to severe diarrhea and other symptoms. The detection of C. difficile through fecal culture allows healthcare providers to confirm an infection and guide appropriate antibiotic treatment. Additionally, sensitivity testing helps in determining which antibiotics are effective against the specific strain of C. difficile identified, allowing for targeted therapy.

While Escherichia coli can also be detected in stool cultures, the context of specific pathogenic strains would dictate its detectability and relevance in the testing. Helicobacter pylori is primarily associated with gastric infections and is usually diagnosed through endoscopic biopsy or non-invasive tests rather than fecal culture. Staphylococcus aureus, while it may be found in stool, is not typically the focus of fecal culture tests for gastrointestinal disorders. Thus, the specificity of fecal culture tests for C. difficile makes it the most appropriate choice for this question.