title: Antibiotic-associated diarrhea: epidemiology, trends and treatment.
abstract: A common complication of antibiotic use is the development of gastrointestinal disease. This complication ranges from mild diarrhea to pseudomembranous colitis. Outbreaks of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) may also occur in healthcare settings, usually caused by Clostridium difficile. AAD typically occurs in 5-35% of patients taking antibiotics and varies depending upon the specific type of antibiotic, the health of the host and exposure to pathogens. The pathogenesis of AAD may be mediated through the disruption of the normal microbiota resulting in pathogen overgrowth or metabolic imbalances. The key to addressing AAD is prompt diagnosis followed by effective treatment and institution of control measures. Areas of active research include the search for other etiologies and more effective treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services Research & Development, Puget Sound Veterans Administration, Healthcare System, Seattle, WA 98101, USA. lynne.mcfarland@va.gov
authors.forename: Lynne V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: McFarland
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents