Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 30, 2026

A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment
12:58

A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment

Published on: May 25, 2017

[Pseudomembranous colitis during antibiotic therapy]

Predrag Canović1, Zoran Todorović, Olgica Gajović

  • 1Infektivno odeljenje, Klinicko-bolnicki centar, Kragujevac.

Medicinski Pregled
|November 1, 2003
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea can indicate serious pseudomembranous colitis caused by Clostridium difficile. Early recognition and treatment are crucial for severe cases, even if rare.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Antibiotic use frequently causes diarrhea, including idiopathic forms and those linked to Clostridium difficile.
  • Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) occurs when antibiotics suppress gut flora, allowing toxin production.
  • Pseudomembranous colitis, a severe form of CDI, is often associated with antibiotics like clindamycin and cephalosporins.

Observation:

  • This report details two cases of antibiotic-associated colitis.
  • Diagnosis involved clinical evaluation, rectoscopy, and histopathological analysis of intestinal biopsies.
  • Metronidazole was used for treatment without observed adverse effects.

Findings:

  • Both patients had a history of antibiotic use, with diarrhea onset during or after therapy.
  • While antibiotic-associated diarrhea affects 5.30% of patients, pseudomembranous colitis is less common but severe.
  • Prompt diagnosis is essential due to the severe and urgent nature of pseudomembranous colitis.

Implications:

  • Clinicians must consider pseudomembranous colitis in patients experiencing diarrhea during or after antibiotic treatment.
  • Timely diagnosis and initiation of appropriate therapy are critical for managing severe antibiotic-associated colitis.
  • Understanding the link between antibiotics and Clostridium difficile is vital for patient care.

More Related Videos

Investigating the Alleviating Effects of Bacillus cereus Administration on Colitis through Gut Microbiota Modulation08:34

Investigating the Alleviating Effects of Bacillus cereus Administration on Colitis through Gut Microbiota Modulation

Published on: July 27, 2022

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection07:06

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection

Published on: December 8, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents01:18

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents

Acute diarrhea, a common gastrointestinal disturbance, is characterized by the rapid evacuation of fluid stools, leading to an excessive weight in fluid. This condition typically arises from disorders affecting intestinal water and electrolyte transport. It can be triggered by an increased osmotic load within the intestine, excessive secretion of electrolytes and water, mucosal exudation of protein and fluid, or altered intestinal motility. The primary risks of acute diarrhea are dehydration...
Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota

The human gut microbiome includes a diverse array of microbial species, including beneficial commensals and opportunistic pathogens, which interact to support host health. These microbes contribute to essential functions such as nutrient metabolism, immune system modulation, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity. However, disruptions to this equilibrium—referred to as dysbiosis—can have widespread physiological consequences.Dysbiosis is often characterized by reduced microbial...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis01:20

Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation that typically begins in the rectum and extends proximally in a uniform pattern. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and environmental influences. These factors converge to impair the colon’s epithelial defenses and promote an exaggerated inflammatory response against luminal contents.Breakdown of the Mucosal BarrierA...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis01:27

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis

Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the colon and rectum. The primary drugs used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis are aminosalicylates. They exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. They modulate inflammatory mediators and inhibit the activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Aminosalicylates also reduce inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin and leukotriene production and decreasing neutrophil chemotaxis and superoxide generation.