title: Pseudomembranous colitis in four patients with cystic fibrosis following lung transplantation.
abstract: Pseudomembranous colitis is an uncommon complication in patients with cystic fibrosis, despite the use of multiple high-dose antibiotic regimens and the frequency of hospital admissions. Four patients from a total of 137 patients with cystic fibrosis undergoing lung transplantation are described who developed fulminant pseudomembranous colitis. Initial presentation was variable and the mortality rate was 50% despite urgent colectomy. In one case the presenting abdominal distension was thought to be due to meconium ileus equivalent. It is concluded that Clostridium difficile colitis may be a difficult diagnosis in patients with cystic fibrosis and follows a fulminant course after lung transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cellular Medicine, University of Newcastle and The Freeman Hospital, High Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN, UK.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yates
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: F K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Gould
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lordan
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Dark
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Corris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed