[Hemorrhagic diarrhea with competing etiologies]

Abstract

A case history of a 41-year-old woman with bloody diarrhoea is described. A right-sided hemicolectomy was performed and histological findings showed pseudomembranous colitis. The woman was infected with verotoxin-producing E. coli O103:H2. She had taken an overdose of ergotamine and was using a contraceptive containing oestrogen. Each of these have previously been described as being the cause of bloody diarrhoea, but we suggest the combination as the aetiology in the present case.