Antibiotic induced diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis

The spore-forming anaerobic bacterium Clostridium difficile has become a serious enteropathogen. Oral and parenteral administration of antibiotics can cause ecological disturbances in the normal intestinal microflora. Suppression of the normal microflora may lead to reduced colonization resistance w...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Urologe. Ausgabe A 2003-01, Vol.42 (1), p.82
Main Authors: Greb, C, Kalem, T, Kälble, T
Format: Article
Language:ger
Subjects:
Aged
Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination - adverse effects
Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination - therapeutic use
Anti-Bacterial Agents - adverse effects
Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use
Cefuroxime - adverse effects
Clostridium difficile
Colectomy
Colonoscopy
Combined Modality Therapy
Diarrhea - chemically induced
Diarrhea - diagnosis
Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous - chemically induced
Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous - diagnosis
Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous - surgery
Fatal Outcome
Hematoma - surgery
Humans
Intestinal Mucosa - pathology
Male
Postoperative Complications - drug therapy
Postoperative Complications - surgery
Staphylococcal Infections - drug therapy
Staphylococcal Infections - surgery
Superinfection - drug therapy
Superinfection - surgery
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The spore-forming anaerobic bacterium Clostridium difficile has become a serious enteropathogen. Oral and parenteral administration of antibiotics can cause ecological disturbances in the normal intestinal microflora. Suppression of the normal microflora may lead to reduced colonization resistance with subsequent overgrowth by pre-existing, naturally resistant microorganisms, such as C. difficile. C. difficile infection shows a range of clinical presentations between an asymptomatic carrier state, light diarrhea without inflammatory changes, and pseudomembranous colitis. C. difficile infection is acquired by the fecal-oral or environmental-oral routes. From March 2000 through March 2001 we assessed 48 cases of nosocomial antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). Of these, 21 were due to C. difficile (CDAD). Cephalosporin was the agent most commonly associated with CDAD. Avoidance of cephalosporins, strict use of "single shot" prophylaxis, isolation of infected, symptomatic patients in single-bed rooms, improved hygiene and complete room disinfection lead to a rapid decrease of CDAD. The etiology, prognosis and prophylaxis are discussed in this paper.
ISSN:0340-2592
DOI:10.1007/s00120-002-0267-2