Pseudomembranous colitis overview: Difference between revisions
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Pseudomembranous colitis is rare in infants younger than 12 months old and uncommon in children. It is most often seen in people who are in the hospital. However, it is becoming more common in people who take antibiotics and who are not in the hospital. | Pseudomembranous colitis is rare in infants younger than 12 months old and uncommon in children. It is most often seen in people who are in the hospital. However, it is becoming more common in people who take antibiotics and who are not in the hospital. | ||
==Risk Factors== | |||
In most cases a patient presenting with pseudomembranous colitis has recently been on [[antibiotic]]s. Antibiotics disturb the normal bowel bacterial [[Flora (microbiology)|flora]]. [[Clindamycin]] is the antibiotic classically associated with this disorder, but any antibiotic can cause the condition. Even though they are not particularly likely to cause pseudomembranous colitis, but, rather, due to their very frequent use, [[cephalosporin]] antibiotics (such as [[cefazolin]] and [[cephalexin]]) account for a large percentage of cases. Diabetics and the elderly are also at increased risk, although half of cases are not associated with risk factors. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 20:19, 28 February 2013
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Pseudomembranous colitis Microchapters |
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Differentiating Pseudomembranous Colitis from other Diseases |
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Diagnosis |
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Pseudomembranous colitis overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Pseudomembranous colitis overview |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Pseudomembranous colitis overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Pseudomembranous colitis is an infection of the colon often, but not always, caused by the bacterium Clostridium difficile. Still, the expression "C. diff colitis" is used almost interchangeably with the more proper term of pseudomembranous colitis. The illness is characterized by offensive-smelling diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. It can be severe, causing toxic megacolon, or even fatal.
Pathophysiology
The use of broad-spectrum antibiotics such as clindamycin and cephalosporins causes the normal bacterial flora of the bowel to be altered. In particular, when the antibiotic kills off other, competing bacteria in the intestine, any bacteria remaining will have less competition for space and nutrients there. The net effect is to permit much more extensive growth than normal of certain bacteria. Clostridium difficile is one such type of bacteria. In addition to proliferating in the bowel, the C. diff also elaborates a toxin. It is this toxin that is responsible for the diarrhea which characterizes pseudomembranous colitis.
Causes
The Clostridium difficile bacteria is normally seen in the intestine. However, it may overgrow when you take antibiotics. The bacteria release a powerful toxin that causes the lining of the colon to become inflammed and bleed.
The most common antibiotics associated with this condition are ampicillin, clindamycin, fluoroquinolones, and cephalosporins.
Pseudomembranous colitis is rare in infants younger than 12 months old and uncommon in children. It is most often seen in people who are in the hospital. However, it is becoming more common in people who take antibiotics and who are not in the hospital.
Risk Factors
In most cases a patient presenting with pseudomembranous colitis has recently been on antibiotics. Antibiotics disturb the normal bowel bacterial flora. Clindamycin is the antibiotic classically associated with this disorder, but any antibiotic can cause the condition. Even though they are not particularly likely to cause pseudomembranous colitis, but, rather, due to their very frequent use, cephalosporin antibiotics (such as cefazolin and cephalexin) account for a large percentage of cases. Diabetics and the elderly are also at increased risk, although half of cases are not associated with risk factors.