Pseudomembranous Colitis Associated with Erythromycin
Authors: Nelson M. Gantz, John K. Zawacki, W. John Dickerson, John G. Bartlett
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1979)

Brief Reports1 December 1979Pseudomembranous Colitis Associated with ErythromycinNELSON M. GANTZ, M.D., JOHN K. ZAWACKI, M.D., W. JOHN DICKERSON, M.D., JOHN G. BARTLETT, M.D.NELSON M. GANTZ, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, JOHN K. ZAWACKI, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, W. JOHN DICKERSON, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, JOHN G. BARTLETT, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-91-6-866 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTissue culture assays and bacterial cultures indicate thatClostridium difficileis commonly responsible for the diarrheal complications of antimicrobial use. Multiple agents have been implicated, but there is a paucity of cases due to erythromycins. This especially applies to pseudomembranous colitis; recent reviews suggest that no well-confirmed cases have been reported (1, 2). We report here the cases of a patient with pseudomembranous colitis and another with antibiotic-associated diarrhea. In each instance, the complications were associated with erythromycin therapy, andC. difficileappears to be the responsible agent. Thus, erythromycins should be added to the growing list of antimicrobials in...References1. GEORGEKIRBYSUTTER WBV. Antimicrobial susceptibility of Clostridium difficile. In: SCHLESSINGER D, ed. Microbiology, 1979, Washington, D.C.: American Society for Microbiology; 1979; 267:71. Google Scholar2. BARTLETTGORBACH JS. Pseudomembranous enterocolitis (antibiotic-related colitis). Adv Intern Med. 1977;22:455-76. MedlineGoogle Scholar3. CHANGLAUERMANNBARTLETT TMJ. Cytotoxicity assay in antibiotic-associated colitis. J Infect Dis. In press. Google Scholar4. BARTLETTMOONCHANGTAYLORONDERDONK JNTNA. The role of Clostridium difficile in antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis. Gastroenterology. 1978;75:778-82. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. KEIGHLEYBURDONARABI MDY. Randomised controlled trial of vancomycin for pseudomembranous colitis and postoperative diarrhea. Br Med J. 1978;2:1667-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. KAPPASSHINAGAWAARABI ANY. Diagnosis of pseudomembranous colitis. Br Med J. 1978;1:675-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. ANTONIADESSPECTOREBELSORKINSMITH KHMHM. Pseudomembranous colitis associated with ampicillin and erythromycin therapy: report of a case. Dis Colon Rectum. 1978;21:514-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. FINKEL M. Magnitude of antibiotic use. Ann Intern Med. 1978;89:(Part 2)791-2. LinkGoogle Scholar9. NICHOLSCONDONDISANTO RRA. Preoperative bowel preparation. Arch Surg. 1977;112:1493-6. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. BARLETTCONDONGORBACHCLARKENICHOLSOCHI JRSJRS. Veterans Administration cooperative study on bowel preparation for elective colorectal operations: impact of oral antibiotic regimen on colonic flora, wound irrigation cultures and bacteriology of septic complications. Ann Surg. 1978;188:249-54. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByClarithromycinMacrolides, Clindamycin, and KetolidesMacrolides, Clindamycin, and KetolidesANTIBACTERIAL DRUGSClarithromycinAntibacterial Therapy for AcneBiotherapeutic Agents for Clostridium difficile-Associated DiseaseVariable time of onset of Clostridium difficile disease initiated by antimicrobial treatment in hamstersReview of Clostridium difficile— associated diseasesAntimicrobial TherapyFulminant pseudomembranous colitis occurring after colonoscopyErythromycin, Lincomycin, and ClindamycinErythromycin therapy in bullous pemphigoid: Possible anti-inflammatory effectsMedical Management of Antimicrobial-Associated Diarrhea and ColitisErythromycinErythromycinOther antibiotic drugs 1 December 1979Volume 91, Issue 6Page: 866-867KeywordsAntimicrobialsBacterial culturesC difficile colitisClostridium difficileDiarrheaErythromycinTissue cultures Issue Published: 1 December 1979 PDF DownloadLoading ...