[Diarrhea associated with antibiotic therapy]

The authors suggest rational procedures to prevent the antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD) Clostridium difficile positive or not, considering its high cost (both to stay in Hospital and for specific therapy). Twenty-four cases of diarrhea starting during antibiotic therapy and until one month from its interruption was assessed. Twelve (50%) was found Clostridium difficile (+); 12 (50%) was Clostridium difficile (-); no case of pseudomembranous colitis was found. Two hospitalized patients shared the room with others suffering from diarrhea Clostridium difficile (+) developing the same illness although precautions were used both by physicians and by nursing staff. Four patients had diarrhea after domiciliary antibiotic therapy. Vancomycin (1-2 g/die p.o.) was effective therapy in patients with important diarrhea (more than 10 withdrawals in a day). Two cases with moderate diarrhea (less than 6 withdrawals in a day) Clostridium difficile (+) recovered without antibiotic therapy. The authors propose: a) rational antibiotic use; b) isolation of affected patients; c) sanitary measures in dejections treatment.