Summary
Among the 14 cases of antibiotic-induced colitis, endoscopic features were: in 9 cases
typical pseudomembranes, in 4 cases petechiae or ecchymosis or suggillation-like redness
with nearto-normal surrounding mucosa.
In one case induced by Spiramycin, a macrolide that had never been previously indicated
as being responsable for the disease, the endoscopic picture was ‘atypical’ and directed
us towards a severe ulcerative colitis. These forms are very rare and usually limited
to the right or transverse colon which suggests, if possible, a total colonoscopy.
The nosographic picture of these cases is not quite clear, since they could represent
both the most severe stages within ‘non-pseudomembranous’ antibiotic-induced colitis
and autonomous forms whose evolution does not contribute in any way to the formation
of pseudomembranes.
Key words:
Antibiotic - Colitis - Diarrhoea
