Clostridium difficile colitis in an internal medicine ward
Keywords:
Clostridium difficile colitis, antibiotics, toxins, pseudomembranous colitis, metronidazole, vancomycinAbstract
Ever more Clostridium difficile colitis affects morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Epidemiological and clinical features
of all Clostridium difficile colitis cases diagnosed in an Internal
Medicine ward, during a certain period of time, were studied
retrospectively, as a contribution to improve this infection approach in Portugal.
Disease incidence was close to the lower levels known since
earlier in this century. The large scale use of broad-spectrum
antibiotics appeared to be a decisive risk factor, among others. Despite several outbreaks worldwide caused by antibiotic-resistant
strains, results of treatment with metronidazole and/or vancomycin
seem favorable, though the initial choice of treatment might be
optimized. Disease complications and recurrences were recorded
at levels closer to the lowest recently reported.
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