A Case of Pseudomembranous Colitis Associated with Rifampicin Therapy in a Patient with Rectal Cancer and Gastrointestinal Tuberculosis.
- Author:
Yong Jun CHOI
1
;
Hyung Gil KIM
;
Yun Ah CHOI
;
Woo Chul JOO
;
Dong Wook SON
;
Chul Hyun KIM
;
Yong Woon SHIN
;
Young Soo KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea. kimhg@inha.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report ; English Abstract
- Keywords:
Gastrointestinal tuberculosis;
Rectal cancer;
Rifampicin;
Pseudomembranous colitis
- MeSH:
Aged;
Antibiotics, Antitubercular/*adverse effects/therapeutic use;
Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous/*diagnosis/etiology/pathology;
Female;
Humans;
Rectal Neoplasms/*complications/diagnosis;
Rifampin/*adverse effects/therapeutic use;
Sigmoidoscopy;
Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal/complications/diagnosis/*drug therapy
- From:The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology
2009;53(1):53-56
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) is known to be associated with the administration of antibiotics which alter normal gastrointestinal flora and allow overgrowth of Clostridium difficile. Most cases of rifampicin-induced PMC are seen in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, but not with gastrointestinal tuberculosis. We report a case of PMC associated with rifampicin therapy in a patient with gastrointestinal tuberculosis. A 65-year-old female patient with rectal cancer and gastrointestinal tuberculosis was admitted due to abdominal pain and diarrhea. She was treated with anti-tuberculosis agents containing rifampicin. On colonoscopic examination, mucoid exudates and yellowish plaque lesions were observed. Anti-tuberculosis agents were stopped, and the patient was treated with metronidazole. Symptoms were relieved and did not recur when all the anti-tuberculosis agents except rifampicin were started again. When a patient complains of abdominal pain or diarrhea while taking rifampicin, the physician should consider the possibility of rifampicin-associated PMC.
