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[Pseudomembranous colitis: report of four cases]
J Solana de Lope1, E Aguilera, J I Vinageras
1Servicio de Gastroenterología, Hospital Español de México, México, D.F.
Revista De Gastroenterologia De Mexico
|April 1, 1997
Summary
Pseudomembranous colitis, often caused by Clostridium difficile, frequently affects elderly patients and can lead to relapses. Saccharomyces boulardii may help prevent and treat these recurrences.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Clostridium difficile infection causes 25-30% of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
- Pseudomembranous colitis is a severe manifestation of C. difficile infection.
Observation:
- Four cases of pseudomembranous colitis in elderly patients receiving cephalosporins and/or clindamycin were observed.
- Patients presented with severe watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
- Sigmoidoscopy revealed characteristic raised, yellow plaques on the colonic mucosa.
Findings:
- Elderly, debilitated patients with pseudomembranous colitis have high morbidity and frequent relapses.
- Oral metronidazole and vancomycin showed good initial response.
- Saccharomyces boulardii showed promise in managing relapses.
Implications:
- Pseudomembranous colitis poses significant risks for the elderly and debilitated.
- Effective management of C. difficile infection relapses is crucial.
- Saccharomyces boulardii warrants further investigation for its role in preventing and treating recurrent colitis.