Infectious colitis Flashcards
How long do episodes of infectious colitis typically last?
7 days
What is infective colitis?
Infective colitis is inflammation of the colon caused by an infection—typically due to bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
Give 4 viruses that causes infective colitis?
- Norovirus
- Rotavirus
- Adenovirus
- Cytomegalovirus
Give 7 bacteria that cause infectious colitis:
1) salmonella
2) shigella
3) E. coli
4) C. difficile
5) Yersinia enterocolitica
6) Mycobacterium tuberculosis
7) Campylobacter jejuni
Give 2 parasites that can cause infectious colitis:
1) Entamoeba histolytica
2) Giardia lamblia
Give 5 sexually transmitted diseases that can cause infectious colitis:
- HIV
- Gonorrhoea
- Chlamydia
- Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2
- Syphilis
Give 7 symptoms associated with infectious colitis:
1) abdominal pain
2) watery or bloody diarrhoea
3) vomiting
4) nausea
5) fevers
6) appetite loss
7) weight loss
What is the most common mode of transmission for infective colitis?
faecal-oral (coming into contact with contaminated food and water)
Give 5 risk factors for infective colitis:
1) travel to a foreign country
2) staying in hospitals
3) taking antibiotics
4) having close contact with an infected person
5) being immunocompromised
What simple test can be used to help diagnose infective colitis?
Stool microscopy and testing for specific antigens
What 3 molecules in stool indicate C.diffcile infection?
1) C. difficile antigen (specifically glutamate dehydrogenase)
2) toxin A (enterotoxin)
3) toxin B (cytotoxin)
Give three risk factors for C. difficile infection:
1) being in hospital
2) repeat use of antibiotics
3) repeat use of PPIs
Give the 4 C antibiotics that are associated with causing C. difficile:
1) Clindamycin
2) Ciprofloxacin
3) Cephalosporins
4) Carbapenems
How is infectious colitis treated?
most cases typically clear on their own but in severe cases or cases of C. difficile, antibiotics are given
What is the first line antibiotic for C. difficile infection?
vancomycin
What is the second line antibiotic for C. difficile infection?
fidaxomicin
Name a new treatment for C. difficile infection that does not use antibiotics:
faecal microbiota transplantation
Name 3 differential diagnoses for infective colitis?
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Ischaemic colitis
- Radiation colitis
Q: What causes infective colitis?
Infection by bacteria, viruses, or parasites
What causes inflammatory colitis (IBD)?
Autoimmune inflammation — includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Onset of infective colitis?
Sudden, acute onset (days).
Onset of inflammatory colitis (IBD)?
Gradual, chronic with relapses and remissions.
Common symptoms of infective colitis?
Diarrhea (± bloody), fever, cramping, nausea, vomiting.
Common symptoms of inflammatory colitis?
Chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, rectal bleeding.
Is infective colitis contagious?
Yes — depends on the organism (e.g., Salmonella, Shigella).
Is inflammatory colitis contagious?
No — it’s not infectious.
What do stool tests show in infective colitis?
Pathogens (e.g., bacteria, ova/parasites), ↑ fecal WBCs.
What do stool tests show in inflammatory colitis?
Negative cultures, ↑ fecal calprotectin or lactoferrin.
Treatment for infective colitis?
Supportive care ± antibiotics or antiparasitics, based on cause.
Treatment for IBD (inflammatory colitis)?
Immunosuppressants (steroids, biologics), long-term management
Is there a role for antibiotics in IBD?
Generally no — unless superimposed infection (e.g., C. diff).
Complications of inflammatory colitis?
Strictures, fistulas, colorectal cancer, extraintestinal symptoms.
Complications of infective colitis?
Dehydration, sepsis, hemolytic uremic syndrome, toxic megacolon.
