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Antibiotic-associated colitis: clinical and epidemiological features
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
|February 1, 1982
Summary
Antibiotic-associated colitis cases increased in 1979, presenting with diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. The illness showed a nosocomial pattern, predominantly affecting females with genitourinary disorders.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Antibiotic-associated colitis (AAC) exhibits temporal and geographic clustering.
- A significant increase in AAC incidence was observed in 1979.
Observation:
- The study details clinical, epidemiological, and endoscopic features of AAC cases.
- Typical symptoms included acute watery diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, tenderness, and leukocytosis.
- A nosocomial (hospital-acquired) pattern was identified, with a notable female predominance.
Findings:
- Two-thirds of affected patients had pre-existing gynecological or urological conditions.
- Unexpected findings included dysuria and sterile pyuria in some patients.
- The causative organism is hypothesized to be hospital-acquired and linked to genitourinary issues.
Implications:
- These findings suggest a potential link between hospital-acquired infections and underlying genitourinary disorders in AAC.
- Understanding this association can inform infection control strategies and patient management.
- Further research into the specific pathogens and transmission routes is warranted.