PSEUDOMEMBRANOUS COLITIS

A BIBLIOGRAPHIC REVIEW

Abstract

The aim of this study is to describe through literary findings pseudomembranous colitis and its main characteristics, diagnoses and treatments. It was performed by searching the Virtual Health Library (VHL), using mainly the databases: Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (Medline) and PubMed. Pseudomembranous colitis is a nonspecific pattern of injury resulting from decreased oxygenation, endothelial damage, and mucosal-impaired blood flow, which can be triggered by various disease states, is caused by the gram-positive anaerobic bacterium Clostridium difficile (C.difficile). For the diagnosis a careful and complete history is crucial; quality and duration of symptoms, exposure history, chronic medical conditions (including conditions that cause an immunosuppressed state) and a list of medications will help narrow the differential diagnosis. Treatment is specific to the underlying etiology and will be individualized. Consultation with a gastroenterologist should be considered early in the course of the disease. As there is no vaccine available yet preventive measures are advocated such as strict hand washing, enteric precautions and careful use of antibiotics are imperative and remain the most effective means of preventing the spread of the body and disease.