title: Pseudomembranous colitis associated with chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil.
abstract: Pseudomembranous colitis is frequently associated with antibiotics and more rarely with chemotherapeutic agents such as 5-fluorouracil. The objective of this study is to show that it is possible to confuse this infection with chemotherapy associated toxicity. We present a 54 year old woman who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer and in the first cycle of chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil developed pseudomembranous colitis. We detected the toxin B of Clostridium difficile in stools and we began early antibiotic treatment. Thus, in patients with post chemotherapy neutropenia and diarrhoea that develop negatively, we have to rule out this infection.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain. romancordoba@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Morales Chamorro
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Serrano Blanch
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Méndez Vidal
authors.forename: María Auxiliadora
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gómez España
authors.forename: María Jesús
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Rubio Pérez
authors.forename: Juan Rafael
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: de la Haba Rodríguez
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aranda Aguilar
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016360:Clostridioides difficile; D054067:Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Deficiency; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008875:Middle Aged; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000209:etiology; D012811:Sigmoid Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D005472:Fluorouracil