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Colitis seudomembranosa - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Colitis asociada con antibióticos; Colitis de tipo seudomembranosa; Colitis necrosante

Definición:

Es una infección del intestino grueso (colon) con una proliferación excesiva de la bacteria Clostridium difficile.

Causas, incidencia y factores de riesgo:

La bacteria Clostridium difficile normalmente está presente en el intestino; sin embargo, puede proliferar en exceso al tomar antibióticos. Las bacterias liberan una potente toxina que causa los síntomas. El revestimiento del colon se inflama y sangra y toma una apariencia característica llamada seudomembranas.

La ampicilina, la clindamicina y las cefalosporinas son los antibióticos más comunes asociados con esta enfermedad en los niños. La colitis seudomembranosa es rara en bebés menores de 12 meses, gracias a que tienen los anticuerpos protectores de la madre y debido a que la toxina no causa la enfermedad en la mayoría de los bebés.

La mayoría de los casos de colitis seudomembranosa suceden mientras la persona está en el hospital, debido a que las bacterias se pueden diseminar de un paciente a otro.

Los factores de riesgo abarcan:

Edad avanzada
Uso de antibióticos
Quimioterapia
Medicamentos que inhiben el sistema inmunitario
Cirugía reciente
Antecedentes personales de colitis seudomembranosa

El sistema digestivo

Órganos del sistema digestivo

Reviewed last on: 4/12/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Aslam S. An update on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Clostridium difficile-associated disease. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. Jun 2006;35(2):315-335.

Bartlett JG. Clostridial infections. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa : Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 319.

Thielman NM, Wilson KH. Antibiotic-associated colitis. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 96.

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