Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Ginger Moxibustion, A Non-pharmacological Treatment, for Diarrhea in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
03:25

Ginger Moxibustion, A Non-pharmacological Treatment, for Diarrhea in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: December 27, 2024

[Old dogmas and new perspectives in antibiotic-associated diarrhea]

Jakob P Cramer1, Gerd D Burchard, Ansgar W Lohse

  • 1I. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Sektion Tropenmedizin und Infektiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg. cramer@bni-hamburg.de

Medizinische Klinik (Munich, Germany : 1983)
|May 20, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is a common complication of antibiotic use. This review updates on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment strategies for AAD, including Clostridium difficile infections.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Antibiotics are crucial for medical treatment but can cause antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD).
  • Predicting AAD risk for specific antibiotics and patients remains challenging.
  • Clostridium difficile causes severe AAD and pseudomembranous colitis, with increasing incidence in Germany.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an update on the latest findings and recommendations regarding AAD.
  • To cover pathogenesis, diagnostics, and therapeutic and prevention strategies for AAD.
  • To address the rising incidence of Clostridium difficile infections and the emergence of virulent strains.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
  • Analysis of pathogenic mechanisms, including direct effects and gut flora disruption.
  • Examination of diagnostic approaches and treatment regimens.

Main Results:

  • AAD is a significant iatrogenic complication with considerable morbidity and costs.
  • Clostridium difficile is linked to severe AAD cases, with increasing incidence and emergence of virulent strains (e.g., PCR ribotype 027).
  • Effective treatment and prevention strategies are crucial due to high relapse rates.

Conclusions:

  • Updated knowledge on AAD pathogenesis, diagnostics, and treatment is essential.
  • Concerted efforts are needed for effective management of AAD, particularly C. difficile infections.
  • Prevention strategies and timely diagnosis are key to reducing AAD burden.

More Related Videos

A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment12:58

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

Published on: May 25, 2017

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment08:33

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment

Published on: November 17, 2018

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...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
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...
Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS01:17

Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS

Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a subtype of IBS characterized primarily by frequent, loose, or watery stools, abdominal pain, and abdominal discomfort. Therapeutic approaches to managing IBS-D include dietary changes, stress management techniques, and pharmaceutical interventions.
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
Development of Antibiotic Resistance01:30

Development of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...