Pseudomembranous colitis is a form of colitis or bowel disease caused by infection. It occurs in individuals who are taking or have recently taken antibiotics. Because antibiotics kill healthy bacteria in the colon, dangerous bacteria can more easily inhabit the colon following antibiotic use. Pseudomembranous colitis is almost always caused by the bacteria Clostridium difficile, which releases toxins into the colon and causes inflammation. This produces symptoms including bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain and fever.
For more information, see Pseudomembranous Colitis (Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhoea).
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