[Pseudomembranous colitis. Personal experience]

The author summarizes experience with the treatment of five patients with pseudomembranous colitis. The diagnosis of this disease was outdated and only in the last two cases it was possible to use the latex agglutination test to assess the presence of Clostridium difficile toxins. The patients were admitted to the clinic in a serious septic toxic condition and thus it proved possible to cure conservatively (using Vancomycin) only one female patient. Four patients were operated in a critical condition (subtotal colectomy with ileostomy and a mucous fistula of the rectosigmoid), two died from progressing sepsis (shock lung). The authors emphasize the necessity of early and accurate diagnosis, incl. assessment of the toxin titre. With regard to the fact that the method is demanding from the economic aspect, the authors propose an economical algorithm of examination and treatment of patients who suffer during prolonged hospitalization from repeated diarrhoea, and the use of broad spectrum antibiotics.