Pseudomembranous colitis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Pseudomembranous colitis refers to swelling or inflammation of the large intestine (colon) due to an overgrowth of Clostridium difficile (C difficile) bacteria.
P This infection is a common cause of diarrhea after antibiotic use.

T Causes
P The C difficile bacteria normally lives in the intestine. However, too much of these bacteria may grow when you take antibiotics. The bacteria give off a strong toxin that causes inflammation and bleeding in the lining of the colon.
P Any antibiotic can cause this condition. The drugs responsible for the problem most of the time are ampicillin, clindamycin, fluoroquinolones, and cephalosporins.
P Health care providers in the hospital may pass this bacteria from 1 person to another.
P Pseudomembranous colitis is uncommon in children, and rare in infants. It is most often seen in people who are in the hospital. However, it is becoming more common in people who take antibiotics and are not in a hospital.
P Risk factors include:
- Older age
- Antibiotic use
- Use of medicines that weaken the immune system (such as chemotherapy medicines)
- Recent surgery
- History of pseudomembranous colitis
- History of ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease

T Symptoms
P Symptoms include:
- Abdominal cramps (mild to severe)
- Bloody stools
- Fever
- Urge to have a bowel movement
- Watery diarrhea (often 5 to 10 times per day)

T Exams and Tests
P The following tests may be done:
- Colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy
- Immunoassay for C difficile toxin in the stool
- Newer stool tests such as PCR

T Treatment
P The antibiotic or other medicine causing the condition should be stopped. Metronidazole or vancomycin is most often used to treat the problem, but other medicines may also be used.
P Electrolyte solutions or fluids given through a vein may be needed to treat dehydration due to diarrhea. In rare cases, surgery is needed to treat infections that get worse or do not respond to antibiotics.
P Long term antibiotics may be needed if the C difficile infection returns. A new treatment called fecal microbiota transplant ("stool transplant") has also been effective for infections that come back.
P Your provider may also suggest that you take probiotics if the infection returns.

T Outlook (Prognosis)
P The outlook is good in most cases, if there are no complications. However, up to 1 in 5 infections may return and need more treatment.

T Possible Complications
P Complications may include:
- Dehydration with electrolyte imbalance
- Perforation of (hole through) the colon
- Toxic megacolon

T When to Contact a Medical Professional
P Call your provider if you have the following symptoms:
- Any bloody stools (especially after taking antibiotics)
- Five or more episodes of diarrhea per day for more than 1 to 2 days
- Severe abdominal pain
- Signs of dehydration

T Prevention
P People who have had pseudomembranous colitis should tell their providers before taking antibiotics again. It is also very important to wash hands well to prevent passing the germ to other people. Alcohol sanitizers do not always work on C difficile.

T Alternative Names
P Antibiotic-associated colitis; Colitis - pseudomembranous; Necrotizing colitis; C difficile - pseudomembranous

T Images
- Digestive system
- Digestive system organs

T References
P Cohen SH, Gerding DN, Johnson S, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for Clostridium difficile infection in adults: 2010 update by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2010;31(5):431-455. PMID: 20307191 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20307191.
P Eaton SR, Mazuski JE. Overview of severe clostridium difficile infection. Critical Care Clinics. 2013;29(4):827-839. PMID: 24094379 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24094379.
P Gerding DN, Johnson S. Clostridial infections. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 296.
P Gerding DN, Young VB. Clostridium difficle infection. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 245.
P Kelly CP, Lamont JT. Antibiotic-associated diarrhea and clostridium difficile infection. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 112.

T Review Date 5/11/2016
P Updated by: Subodh K. Lal, MD, gastroenterologist with Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia, Austell, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

