title: Clostridium difficile colitis associated with the use of antineoplastic agents.
abstract: Eight patients are presented in whom treatment with antineoplastic agents, in particular the folic acid antagonist methotrexate, precipitated Clostridium difficile-related diarrhoea and pseudomembranous colitis. The clinical presentation of these patients was identical to that encountered in patients developing antibiotic associated diarrhoea and colitis. Clostridium difficile-related diarrhoea and colitis should be suspected in any patient developing diarrhoea during the course of anti-neoplastic chemotherapy or within three weeks of its cessation. This complication is effectively treated with oral vancomycin.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003013:Clostridium / Q000472:pathogenicity; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D003092:Colitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014640:Vancomycin; D008727:Methotrexate