This Journal feature begins with a case vignette highlightinga common clinical problem. Evidence supporting various strategiesis then presented, followed by a review of formal guidelines,when they exist. The article ends with the author's clinicalrecommendations.
A 53-year-old woman reports severe watery diarrhea with cramps.She is in her 7th day of a 10-day course of cefixime, prescribedfor bronchitis. How should she be evaluated and treated?
The Clinical Problem
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is defined as otherwise unexplaineddiarrhea that occurs in association with the administrationof antibiotics. The frequency of this complication varies amongantibacterial agents. Diarrhea occurs in approximately 5 . . . [Full Text of this Article]
Strategies and Evidence
Mechanisms Other Than C. difficile Infection
Diarrhea Associated with C. difficile Infection
Risk Factors
Diagnostic Tests
Treatment
Relapsing Infection
Epidemics
Areas of Uncertainty
Guidelines
Conclusions and Recommendations
Source Information
From the Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore.
Address reprint requests to Dr. Bartlett at the Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1830 E. Monument St., Rm. 439, Baltimore, MD 21287-0003, or at jb@jhmi.edu.
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