Search for enteric microbial pathogens in patients with ulcerative colitis.
Microbial pathogens were sought in faeces of patients with active ulcerative colitis and again after 3 months treatment. 64 patients were examined during their first episode of ulcerative colitis and 30 with relapse of chronic disease. At presentation, bacterial pathogens were not found; 1 patient had cryptosporidiosis. In 10 patients treatment appeared to result in some loss of colonisation resistance as evidenced by colonisation with beta-haemolytic streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus, candida and Clostridium difficile. Unidentified cytotoxic activity was present in the faeces of 4 patients at presentation and 2 patients during or after treatment. We conclude that enteric infection is an uncommon finding in patients with active ulcerative colitis.
Public Health Laboratory, Odstock Hospital, Salisbury, UK.
W J
WJ
Brown
M J
MJ
Hudson
S
S
Patrick
S C
SC
Matthews
M J
MJ
Hill
A E
AE
Gent
R H
RH
Grace
M D
MD
Hellier
E T
ET
Swarbrick
D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
D012460:Sulfasalazine