title: Clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea: a role in inflammatory bowel disease?
abstract: 56 patients with diarrhoea were screened for the presence of Clostridium difficile toxin in their stool. The test was positive in 9: 5 had severe inflammatory bowel disease and were receiving systemic steroids; 2 were on steroids for other conditions; 1 had been on antibiotics; and in 1 there was no apparent predisposing factor. In each case clearance of the toxin was associated with clinical improvement. Evidently Cl. difficile toxin is not specific for antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, but is associated with diarrhoea of various aetiologies, often unrelated to antibiotic therapy. Cl. difficile may be an important factor in some exacerbations of inflammatory bowel disease.
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003013:Clostridium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000382:microbiology; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001427:Bacterial Toxins