Antibiotic-associated colitis

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Antibiotic-associated colitis (pseudomembranous colitis) is caused by colonisation of the colon with Clostridium difficile which may follow antibiotic therapy. It is usually of acute onset, but may run a chronic course; it is a particular hazard of clindamycin but few antibiotics are free of this side-effect. Oral vancomycin or metronidazole are used as specific treatment; vancomycin may be preferred for very sick patients.

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