[Antibiotic-induced diarrhea: recent findings about Clostridium difficile]

Abstract

From the beginning of the antibiotherapy, diarrhea frequently occurred as a side effect of the treatment. The spectrum of diarrheal disease associated with antibiotic therapy ranges from antibiotic associated diarrhea and colitis, to the more severe pseudomembranous colitis, which is always associated with Clostridium difficile (CD). Because most of the antibiotics are not active against this sporulated Gram positive anaerobe. The pathogenic process occurs only by production of toxins. CD is now recognized as one of the most important hospital infections. Although therapy is available for the majority of patients with CD infection, pseudomembranous colitis is a serious disease which, if untreated, can lead to major complications.