title: Experimental studies of antibiotic associated colitis.
abstract: Clostridium difficile has been implicated as the major cause of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis. The laboratory diagnostic test of choice is a tissue culture assay that demonstrates the presence of a cytopathic toxin neutralized by antitoxin to Clostridium sordelli. This toxin is found in stools from patients with antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis and in stools from patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Neutralization of toxin by antitoxin to C. sordelli appears to represent antigenic cross-reactivity, since both cultures of C. difficile also contain a cytopathic toxin neutralized by this toxin. Strains of C. difficile are susceptible to vancomycin and the clinical experience with oral administration of this agent shows promising results.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000992:Antitoxins / Q000032:analysis; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000032:analysis*; D003013:Clostridium / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003015:Clostridium Infections; D006224:Cricetinae; D003429:Cross Reactions; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005243:Feces / Q000032:analysis / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000992:Antitoxins; D001427:Bacterial Toxins