Amoxicillin-associated hemorrhagic colitis: A case report and literature review

Antibiotic-associated hemorrhagic colitis (AAHC) is a special type of antibiotic-associated colitis. Due to the increased use of antibiotics, especially amoxicillin, which is commonly used in clinical practice, the incidence of antibiotic-associated hemorrhagic colitis has also increased. However, doctors have insufficient understanding of this disease, and patients may be missed or misdiagnosed.

A 71-year-old female patient was admitted to our hospital with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloody stools. There was a history of oral amoxicillin before the onset of the disease.

The final diagnosis of this patient was amoxicillin-associated hemorrhagic colitis.

The patient stopped using antibiotics and was given "Bifidobacterium quadruplex live bacterial tablets and L-glutamine sodium gualenate granules" orally.

After oral administration, the patient's symptom rapidly were completely alleviate. Follow-up colonoscopy revealed normal mucosal images.

Through this case report, doctors should increase their understanding of the disease, especially for patients with sudden abdominal pain accompanied by bloody stools as the main complaint, it is significant to attend to inquiries about the history of antibiotic use, such as amoxicillin, and pay attention to the discovery of acid-producing Klebsiella in the fecal microbiota.