Antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis: pathogenesis and management.

Antibiotic-associated colitis is a potentially lethal condition which may occur quite commonly in postsurgical patients who have received prophylactic or therapeutic antimicrobial drugs. The disorder can be easily detected by assay of the specific faecal toxin. Prompt therapy by oral vancomycin is mandatory, to reduce not only mortality but also the danger of cross infection.