Antibiotic associated Colitis

Home ] Up ]


Pages Below:

Antibiotic-associated Colitis


  • Pseudomembranous colitis if confirmed by colonoscopy
  • occurs a few days after introduction of antibiotic therapy (up to months)
    • all broad spectrum antibiotics implicated
  • caused by A and B toxins of Clostridium difficile

History

  • diarrhoea
    • rarely with blood
  • abdominal cramps

Investigations

  • identification of C. difficile toxin in stool

Treatment

Pseudomembranous colitis

  • presents with acute diarrhoea or collapse
  • follows antibiotic therapy
  • Causative organism is Clostridium difficile
  • Treatment:
    • oral vancomycin
    • metronidazole

 

 

Home ] Up ]