In severe cases toxic megacolon, colonic perforation, and peritonitis may develop. Other complications include electrolyte abnormalities, hypovolemic shock, anasarca caused by hypoalbuminemia, sepsis, and hemorrhage. Although classically associated with clindamycin use, C. difficile colitis can be caused by almost any antibiotic. Symptoms may develop within a few days or even 6 to 10 weeks after antibiotic therapy is completed. Those patients with mild symptoms will usually resolve infection spontaneously once the causative antibiotic is withdrawn.
More severe cases warrant therapy with oral antibiotic therapy.
Patients with relapse may be treated with another course of the aforementioned antibiotics. All rights reserved.