Condition Info - BotMed Application

ConditionName

Pseudomembranous colitis

ConditionDescription

Clostridioides difficile strains in the gastrointestinal tract cause pseudomembranous colitis, typically after antibiotic use.

Symptoms

Symptoms range from transient mild diarrhea to active colitis with bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain; fever

PhysicalFindings

LRQ and LLQ tenderness; fever

ClinicalTests

CBC: leukocytes; sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy; C.difficile toxin assey or stool culture; C.difficile toxin; PCR testing
R/O acute lactose intolerance;

RiskFactors

History of antibiotics, most commonly ampicillin, clindamycin, or cephalosporins;
Older age;
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;

IsRedFlag

IsNPLEX

Consequence

ProgressionFromCondition

Radiation treatment;
Typically begin 5 to 10 days after starting antibiotics but may occur on the first day or up to 2 months later.

TreatmentOptions

PharmOptions

Best initial therapy: Metronidazole if no response after 2 cycles: 
Van (but not IV)

WebLink

https://www.merckmanuals.com/en-ca/professional/infectious-diseases/anaerobic-bacteria/clostridioides-formerly-clostridium-difficile-induced-diarrhea?query=Pseudomembranous