We experienced 19 cases of antibiotic-associated colitis (AAHC) in our hospital. Nineteen patients (twelve were men and seven were women, median age were 44) suffered from AAHC in period from December 1988 to May 1998. Symptoms were abdominal pain and bloody stool in all patients.
The reasons for antibiotic administration were common cold in 13 cases, Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy in 2 cases and anal fistula, fever, abdominal pain and solar dermatitis each in 1 cases. Antibiotics were sultamicillin tosilate in 14 cases, amoxicillin in 2 cases and cefotiam, cefdinir and ofloxacin each in 1 cases. AAHC occurred in 3 to 14 days (median 6.6days) .
The affected areas were cecum 42%, ascending colon 71%, transeverse colon 93%, descending colon 57%, sigmoid colon 36%, rectum 21%. Colonoscopy revealed diffuse redness, edema, erosion and bleeding in mucosa. Clostridium difficile was cultured in 3 of 14 cases from stool. In all cases symptoms and endoscopic findings improved after stop of the antibiotics, fasting and transfusion in several days.
In conclusion, AAHC is iatrogenic disorder and antibiotics must be used carefully.