Pseudomembranous colitis. A complication of sulfasalazine therapy in a patient with Crohn's colitis

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Published on: January 20, 2010

B H Pokorney, T W Nichols

    The American Journal of Gastroenterology
    |October 1, 1981
    PubMed

    Insights

    Sulfasalazine can cause a severe condition called pseudomembranous colitis, even in patients with Crohn's disease. This rare complication, confirmed by detecting Clostridium difficile toxin, is a new finding for sulfasalazine therapy.

    Area of Science:

    • Gastroenterology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Pharmacology

    Background:

    • Pseudomembranous colitis is a severe gastrointestinal condition often linked to prior antibiotic use.
    • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management frequently involves medications like sulfasalazine.
    • Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the digestive tract.

    Observation:

    • A patient with established Crohn's colitis developed pseudomembranous colitis.
    • The patient had a history of sulfasalazine therapy.

    Findings:

    • Clostridium difficile toxin was identified in the patient's stool, confirming the diagnosis.
    • This case represents a newly identified complication of sulfasalazine treatment.

    Implications:

    • Clinicians should consider sulfasalazine as a potential cause of pseudomembranous colitis, particularly in IBD patients.
    • This finding expands the known adverse effects of sulfasalazine.
    • Further investigation into the mechanisms of drug-induced C. difficile infection is warranted.

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