Pseudomembranous Colitis

Pseudomembranous colitis (Clostridioides difficile infection) is antibiotic-associated colitis, due to C. difficile overgrowth, presenting with watery diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and possible toxic megacolon. Treatment: stop inciting antibiotic if possible; oral vancomycin or fidaxomicin (metronidazole in selected); avoid anti-motility drugs; IV fluids; surgery for toxic megacolon/perforation; prevent transmission (isolation/hand hygiene); bezlotoxumab for high-risk recurrence; fecal microbiota transplant for multiple recurrences; follow-up test of cure not routine.

Common Symptoms

Watery diarrhea; fever; abdominal pain; after antibiotics; by C. difficile toxin

Causes and Pathogenesis

Antibiotic disruption of gut flora allows C. difficile overgrowth and toxin-mediated colitis.

Treatment

Stop inciting antibiotic; oral vancomycin/fidaxomicin; avoid anti-motility; surgery for megacolon; FMT for recurrence

Preventive Measures

Antibiotic stewardship; infection control; hand hygiene.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Gastroenterology/Infectious-disease department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.