Histologic findings and clinical characteristics in acutely symptomatic ulcerative colitis patients with superimposed Clostridium difficile infection. 2013

Tao Wang, and Larissa Matukas, and Catherine J Streutker
2-099 Carter Wing, St Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond St, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5B 1W8; streutkerc@smh.ca.

OBJECTIVE To examine biopsy specimens for histologic features suggestive of Clostridium difficile infection in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS Nine patients with UC had colonic biopsy specimens taken during a symptomatic flare that coincided with positive C difficile (C difficile+) tests. Twenty-eight controls were biopsied during a UC flare but tested negative for C difficile. We reviewed the slides for evidence of pseudomembranes, ischemic-like changes, degree of colitis, and lamina propria hemorrhage. RESULTS In C difficile+ patients, 4 (44.4%) of 9 had microscopic pseudomembranes compared with 11% in controls (P < .05). Other histologic/clinical features were not predictive. CONCLUSIONS Although the presence of microscopic pseudomembranes suggests C difficile infection in patients with UC, sensitivity and specificity are poor; biopsy findings do not reliably detect this infection in patients with UC.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D003093 Colitis, Ulcerative Inflammation of the COLON that is predominantly confined to the MUCOSA. Its major symptoms include DIARRHEA, rectal BLEEDING, the passage of MUCUS, and ABDOMINAL PAIN. Colitis Gravis,Idiopathic Proctocolitis,Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Ulcerative Colitis Type,Ulcerative Colitis
D004761 Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous An acute inflammation of the INTESTINAL MUCOSA that is characterized by the presence of pseudomembranes or plaques in the SMALL INTESTINE (pseudomembranous enteritis) and the LARGE INTESTINE (pseudomembranous colitis). It is commonly associated with antibiotic therapy and CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE colonization. Antibiotic-Associated Colitis,Clostridium Enterocolitis,Colitis, Pseudomembranous,Enteritis, Pseudomembranous,Pseudomembranous Colitis,Pseudomembranous Enteritis,Pseudomembranous Enterocolitis,Antibiotic Associated Colitis,Colitis, Antibiotic-Associated
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D016360 Clostridioides difficile A common inhabitant of the colon flora in human infants and sometimes in adults. The type species Clostridioides difficile is formerly known as Clostridium difficile. It is a causative agent for CLOSTRIDIOIDES INFECTIONS and is associated with PSEUDOMEMBRANOUS ENTEROCOLITIS in patients receiving antibiotic therapy. Clostridium difficile
D055815 Young Adult A person between 19 and 24 years of age. Adult, Young,Adults, Young,Young Adults

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