title: Clostridium difficile-associated colitis following the use of Chinese medicine.
abstract: Chinese medicine is becoming widely used in the UK to treat many medical conditions, including acne. We report a case in which Chinese medicine, Lian Qiao Bai Du Wan, was used to treat acne in a teenage boy. The patient then suffered severe diarrhoea with blood and mucus per rectum. Examination of the stool revealed Clostridium difficile infection. Treatment with oral metronidazole improved his symptoms.
authors.affiliation: London Deanery, General Surgery, Department of general surgery, Rom Valley Way, Romford, RM7 OAG, UK.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Clive
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hepworth