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Pseudomembranous colitis    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Antibiotic associated colitis; Colitis - pseudomembranous; Necrotizing colitis

Definition:

A severe condition of the colon that results in local tissue inflammation occurring as a complication of antibiotic therapy.

Causes and Risks

Nearly all antibiotics can cause this condition. Clostridium difficile, which occurs normally in the intestine, overgrows in the presence of antibiotics. The bacteria releases a powerful toxin that is responsible for the symptoms. The lining (mucosa) of the colon becomes denuded and hemorrhagic. Risk factors are antibiotic usage, advanced age, recent surgery, and history of previous pseudomembranous colitis.

Ampicillin is the most common antibiotic associated with this disease in children. Pseudomembranous colitis is rare in infants less than 12 months old because of the presence of protective maternal antibodies.

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