Can C. Diff Cause Colitis

The incidence of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection (CDI) is 1.8%-5.7% in admitted patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). CDI can worsen UC and increase the risk for colectomy or even death, thus necessitating therapy escalation, such as increasing the corticoid therapy or starting a biologic treatment.

What is the difference between C. difficile colitis and pseudomembranous colitis?

For some people, C. diff is part of the normal bacterial flora, or the collection of bacteria, in the gastrointestinal tract. Pseudomembranous colitis results from changes to the bacterial flora after you use antibiotics.

Can vancomycin cause pseudomembranous colitis?

All antibiotics, except parenteral aminoglycosides, sulfonamides and vancomycin, can induce pseudomembranous colitis. The worst offenders are clindamycin, ampicillin, amoxicillin and the cephalosporins. The cytotoxin produced by Clostridium difficile has been identified as the cause of pseudomembranous colitis.