Question
Pseudomembranous colitis characteristics are
- Associated with antibiotic use
- Toxins of clostridioides difficle
- Treated with intravenous vancomycin
- Fecal microbiota transplant is a treatment option a) 1, 2, 3, 4 are correct c) 1, 2 are correct b) 1, 2, 4 are correct d) 1, 4 are correct (PTO) b) Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A d) A is false but R is true
Answer
Key characteristics of pseudomembranous colitis, caused by toxigenic Clostridioides difficile: typically follows broad-spectrum antibiotic exposure (clindamycin, fluoroquinolones, and broad-spectrum cephalosporins carrying disproportionately high risk), which disrupts normal protective gut flora, allowing C. difficile overgrowth and toxin production; disease is driven by toxin A (enterotoxin) and toxin B (cytotoxin), which damage colonic epithelial cells and drive the intense inflammation producing the characteristic raised, yellow-white pseudomembranes (fibrin, inflammatory cells, and cellular debris) visible on colonoscopy; presents with watery diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, fever, and marked leukocytosis; diagnosed by detecting toxin or toxin genes (NAAT/PCR, toxin EIA, or a GDH-antigen-plus-toxin two-step algorithm) rather than simple organism culture, since asymptomatic colonization by non-toxin-producing strains is common; treated with oral vancomycin or fidaxomicin (metronidazole now reserved for milder disease); recurrent disease can be treated with faecal microbiota transplantation. Without the original four numbered statements from the source question, the specific combination intended by the examiner cannot be confirmed.