Infectious colitis excluding E-coli O157 : H7 and C-difficile

Colitic infection caused by a variety of organisms may have an extremely va ried presentation, course, and treatment response. Current data have provid ed great insights into the pathophysiology of these various organisms and t heir clinical presentation, course, and treatment outcomes. As clinicians d evelop a better understanding of the colon, its immunologic defense mechani sms, and the virulence factors of such organisms, they will be better able to evaluate these infections and newer colonic infections as yet unknown. I t is of utmost importance to know if and when to treat such organisms in or der to prevent the ever-emerging dilemma of drug-resistant strains, as seen already in a variety of well-known infections, such as Campylobacter and o thers. Knowledge of such colonic targets will become increasingly important in an era of ever-growing resistance to wide use of antibiotic regimens.