Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile–Induced Colitis

In C. difficile–induced colitis, the bacteria produce toxins that cause inflammation of the colon (colitis), usually after antibiotics are taken to treat an infection. Many antibiotics alter the balance among the types and quantity of bacteria that live in the intestine. Thus, certain disease-causing bacteria, such as C. difficile, can overgrow and replace the harmless bacteria that normally live in the intestine. C. difficile is the most common cause of colitis that develops after antibiotics are taken.

When C. difficile bacteria overgrow, they release toxins that cause diarrhea, colitis, and the formation of abnormal membranes (pseudomembranes) in the large intestine.

A deadlier strain of C. difficile has been identified in some hospital outbreaks. This strain produces substantially more toxin, causes more severe illness with greater chance of relapse, is easier to transmit, and does not respond as well to antibiotic treatment.

C. difficile–induced colitis can occur even after very brief antibiotic courses. C. difficile–induced colitis also may follow the use of certain cancer chemotherapy drugs.

C. difficile infection is most common when an antibiotic is taken by mouth, but it also occurs when antibiotics are injected into a muscle or given by vein (intravenously).

The risk of developing C. difficile–induced colitis and the risk that it will be severe increases with age. Other risk factors include

• Having one or more other severe disorders

• Staying for an extended time in the hospital

• Living in a nursing home

• Undergoing gastrointestinal surgery

• Having a disorder or taking a medication that decreases gastric acidity

Medications that decrease gastric acidity include proton pump inhibitors and histamine-2 (H2) blockers, which are used to treat gastroesophageal reflux and peptic ulcer disease.

Sometimes the source of the bacteria is the person's own intestinal tract. C. difficile is commonly present in the intestines of newborns, healthy adults, and adults who are hospitalized. In these people, C. difficile typically do not cause illness unless they overgrow. However, these people can spread clostridia to at-risk people. Person-to-person spread can be prevented by meticulous hand washing.

People may also get the bacteria from pets or the environment.

Colitis caused by C. difficile infection rarely occurs unless people have recently used antibiotics. However, physically stressful events, such as surgery (typically involving the stomach or intestine), can likely lead to the same kind of imbalance among the type and quantity of bacteria in the intestine or can interfere with the intestine's intrinsic defense mechanisms, which, in turn, allows C. difficile infection and colitis to develop.

Symptoms of C. difficile infection typically begin 5 to 10 days after starting antibiotics but may occur on the first day or up to 2 months later.

Symptoms vary according to the degree of inflammation caused by the bacteria, ranging from slightly loose stools to bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, and fever. Nausea and vomiting are rare.

The most severe cases (fulminant colitis) may involve life-threatening dehydration, fast heart rate, low blood pressure, and perforation of the large intestine.

• Stool studies

• Sometimes sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy

Doctors suspect C. difficile–induced colitis in anyone who develops diarrhea within 2 months of using an antibiotic or within 72 hours of being admitted to a hospital.

The diagnosis is confirmed by using stool tests. Doctors do tests to detect toxins produced by C. difficile as well as a certain enzyme released by the bacteria. Doctors also do tests such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to detect the presence of the bacteria's genetic material (DNA).

A doctor can also diagnose C. difficile–induced colitis by inspecting the lower part of the inflamed large intestine (the sigmoid colon), usually through a sigmoidoscope (a flexible viewing tube). If they observe a specific type of inflammation called pseudomembranous colitis, C. difficile–induced colitis is diagnosed. A colonoscope (a longer flexible viewing tube) is used to examine the entire large intestine if the diseased section of intestine is higher than the reach of the sigmoidoscope. These procedures, however, usually are not required.

Doctors may do imaging tests, such as abdominal x-rays or computed tomography (CT), if they suspect a serious complication, such as perforation of the large intestine, fulminant colitis, or megacolon.

• Stopping use of the antibiotics causing the colitis

• Antibiotics effective against C. difficile

• For recurrences, antibiotics

• For frequent recurrences, sometimes a fecal (stool) transplant

If a person with C. difficile–induced colitis has diarrhea while taking an antibiotic, the antibiotic is stopped immediately unless it is essential. After stopping the antibiotic, symptoms usually stop within 10 to 12 days. If the symptoms are severe or persist, people are usually given an antibiotic that is effective against C. difficile.

Most cases of C. difficileFidaxomicin results in fewer recurrences of symptoms.

Occasionally, C. difficile–induced colitis is so severe that the person must be hospitalized to receive intravenous fluids, electrolytes (such as sodium, magnesium, calcium, and potassium), and blood transfusions.

Rarely, surgery is required. For example, surgical removal of the large intestine (colectomy) may be needed in severe cases as a lifesaving measure.