Severe Clostridium difficile-associated colitis in young patients with cystic fibrosis

J Pediatr. 1998 Jan;132(1):177-9. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(98)70511-6.

Abstract

We report four patients with cystic fibrosis and fulminant Clostridium difficile-associated colitis: two died, and one required hemicolectomy. Three of four patients carried the N1303K mutation. Severe and fatal C. difficile colitis can occur in cystic fibrosis patients, possibly with a genotype-specific predilection (i.e., N1303K/other). Because cystic fibrosis patients may have a wide spectrum of gastrointestinal symptoms, disease caused by C. difficile must be considered when these patients have acute abdominal pain, diarrhea, or severe leukocytosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cystic Fibrosis / complications*
  • Cystic Fibrosis / genetics
  • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / complications*
  • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / surgery
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mutation