Pseudomembranous colitis in 4 patients with cystic fibrosis following lung transplantation

Bryan Yates ^1*, Desmond M Murphy ¹, Andrew J Fisher ¹, F K Gould ¹, James L Lordan ¹, John H Dark ¹ and Paul A Corris ²

¹ Freeman Hospital, United Kingdom
² Freeman Hospital

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: bryanyates{at}doctors.org.uk.

Accepted 11 February 2006

Abstract

Pseudomembranous colitis is an uncommon complication in cystic fibrosis patients despite the use of multiple, high-dose antibiotic regimens and the frequency of hospital admissions. In this report, we describe a series of four patients from a total of 137 patients with cystic fibrosis undergoing lung transplantation who developed fulminant pseudomembranous colitis. Initial presentation was variable and the mortality rate was 50% despite urgent colectomy. In one case the presenting abdominal distension was thought to be due to meconium ileus equivalent. We conclude that Clostridium difficile colitis may be a difficult diagnosis in patients with cystic fibrosis and follow a fulminant course after lung transplantation.

Keywords: clostridium difficile, colitis, cystic fibrosis, lung transplant

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Freedman, S. D., Uppot, R. N., Mino-Kenudson, M. (2009). Case 26-2009 -- A 34-Year-Old Man with Cystic Fibrosis with Abdominal Pain and Distention. NEJM 361: 807-816 [Full Text]  
• Meachery, G, De Soyza, A, Nicholson, A, Parry, G, Hasan, A, Tocewicz, K, Pillay, T, Clark, S, Lordan, J L, Schueler, S, Fisher, A J, Dark, J H, Gould, F K, Corris, P A (2008). Outcomes of lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis in a large UK cohort. Thorax 63: 725-731 [Abstract] [Full Text]