INTRODUCTION: Diseases associated with Clostridium difficile range from antibiotic-related diarrhea to pseudomembranous enterocolitis, and are serious nosocomial infections with high morbidity and mortality. The C. difficile infection has thus far been regarded as a disease typically affecting the colon. However, the literature contains an increasing number of reports describing infections of the small bowel with fulminant clinical courses and high mortality rates of 60-83%. We think this situation is not very well known. METHODS: We present two cases of confirmed C. difficile enteritis and a survey of the literature. CONCLUSION: C. difficile enteritis is characterized by a rising incidence, a sometimes fulminant clinical course, and high mortality rates. Early diagnosis of the disease by toxin detection and endoscopy is of paramount importance and can play a substantial role in improving outcomes.
INTRODUCTION: Diseases associated with Clostridium difficile range from antibiotic-related diarrhea to pseudomembranous enterocolitis, and are serious nosocomial infections with high morbidity and mortality. The C. difficileinfection has thus far been regarded as a disease typically affecting the colon. However, the literature contains an increasing number of reports describing infections of the small bowel with fulminant clinical courses and high mortality rates of 60-83%. We think this situation is not very well known. METHODS: We present two cases of confirmed C. difficileenteritis and a survey of the literature. CONCLUSION:C. difficileenteritis is characterized by a rising incidence, a sometimes fulminant clinical course, and high mortality rates. Early diagnosis of the disease by toxin detection and endoscopy is of paramount importance and can play a substantial role in improving outcomes.
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