CLOSTRIDIUM-DIFFICILE COLITIS ASSOCIATED WITH TREATMENT OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION

Helicobacter pylori infection of the stomach is being detected and tre ated more often now than ever before. This is likely to result in an i ncrease in complications such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea, Howev er, there is no literature on the incidence of such diarrhea, particul arly Clostridium difficile colitis, in patients treated for Helicobact er pylori infection, We report the case of a patient who developed Clo stridium difficile colitis after treatment for Helicobacter pylori inf ection with metronidazole, amoxicillin, H2 blockers, and bismuth subsa licylate. This patient presented with severe diarrhea that responded t o a course of metronidazole with rapid disappearance of symptoms. The incidence of Clostridium difficile colitis in patients treated for Hel icobacter pylori infection has not been studied. This unique associati on, although not unexpected, has not yet been reported in the literatu re. The increasing number of patients being diagnosed and treated for this infection requires a heightened awareness on the part of physicia ns, to assure early diagnosis and treatment of this treatable, yet pot entially dangerous, complication. (C) 1998 by Am. Cell, of Gastroenter ology.