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Simultaneous assays for Clostridium difficile and faecal lactoferrin in ulcerative colitis
Chetana Vaishnavi1, Rakesh Kochhar, Deepak Bhasin
1Department of Gastroenterology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh-160012. medinst@pqi.chd.nic.in
Tropical Gastroenterology : Official Journal of the Digestive Diseases Foundation
|September 17, 2003
Summary
Clostridium difficile toxin (CDT) and faecal lactoferrin (FL) positivity are linked in patients with idiopathic ulcerative colitis (IUC). FL positivity may indicate inflammation caused by C. difficile infection in IUC patients.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Infectious agents are implicated in the initiation and perpetuation of ulcerative colitis.
- Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection is increasingly recognized for its role in exacerbating ulcerative colitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the implications of C. difficile toxin (CDT) and faecal lactoferrin (FL) positivity in patients with idiopathic ulcerative colitis (IUC).
- To explore the relationship between CDT, FL positivity, and antibiotic use in IUC patients.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 94 faecal samples from IUC patients for simultaneous CDT and FL detection.
- Collection of clinical data, including recent antibiotic intake (past 6 weeks).
Main Results:
- 86.2% of patients experienced diarrhoea, and 51.1% had received antibiotics, with a significant increase in diarrhoea prevalence among antibiotic users (p < 0.001).
- CDT positivity was observed in 12.8% of samples, and FL positivity in 16% of samples.
- A significant positive correlation was found between CDT and FL positivity (p < 0.001), but no statistical significance was noted between antibiotic receipt and CDT/FL positivity (p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Faecal lactoferrin positivity in idiopathic ulcerative colitis may be associated with intestinal inflammation triggered by Clostridium difficile infection.
- The study highlights a significant correlation between CDT and FL assays in IUC patients.