[A case of pseudomembranous colitis associated with rifampicin therapy in a patient with rectal cancer and gastrointestinal tuberculosis].
Pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) is known to be associated with the administration of antibiotics which alter normal gastrointestinal flora and allow overgrowth of Clostridium difficile. Most cases of rifampicin-induced PMC are seen in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, but not with gastrointestinal tuberculosis. We report a case of PMC associated with rifampicin therapy in a patient with gastrointestinal tuberculosis. A 65-year-old female patient with rectal cancer and gastrointestinal tuberculosis was admitted due to abdominal pain and diarrhea. She was treated with anti-tuberculosis agents containing rifampicin. On colonoscopic examination, mucoid exudates and yellowish plaque lesions were observed. Anti-tuberculosis agents were stopped, and the patient was treated with metronidazole. Symptoms were relieved and did not recur when all the anti-tuberculosis agents except rifampicin were started again. When a patient complains of abdominal pain or diarrhea while taking rifampicin, the physician should consider the possibility of rifampicin-associated PMC.
Choi
Yong Jun
YJ
Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
Kim
Hyung Gil
HG
Choi
Yun Ah
YA
Joo
Woo Chul
WC
Son
Dong Wook
DW
Kim
Chul Hyun
CH
Shin
Yong Woon
YW
Kim
Young Soo
YS
D000368:Aged; D000904:Antibiotics, Antitubercular / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012293:Rifampin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy; D014385:Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000904:Antibiotics, Antitubercular; D012293:Rifampin