Infectious colitis excluding E. coli O157:H7 and C. difficile.
Colitic infection caused by a variety of organisms may have an extremely varied presentation, course, and treatment response. Current data have provided great insights into the pathophysiology of these various organisms and their clinical presentation, course, and treatment outcomes. As clinicians develop a better understanding of the colon, its immunologic defense mechanisms, and the virulence factors of such organisms, they will be better able to evaluate these infections as well as newer colonic infections yet unknown. It is important to know if and when to treat such organisms to prevent the dilemma of drug-resistant strains, as seen already in a variety of well-known infections, such as Campylobacter and others. Knowledge of such colonic targets will be more important in an era of ever-growing resistance to and wide use of antibiotic regimens.
Goldsweig
C D
CD
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Medical College, Cornell University, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell Campus, New York, New York, USA.
Pacheco
P A
PA
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D004760:Enterocolitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans