PSEUDOMEMBRANOUS COLITIS IS AN INFECTION

Nearly every case of pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) is associated with a specific clostridial toxin and carriage of Clostridium difficile. Neither of these is found in healthy persons or in patients with other diseases. A parallel condition develops in hamsters treated with antibiotics and here C. difficile can be shown to be acquired from the environment. Patients receiving antibiotics and exposed to C. difficile are at risk of PMC. Both treatment and prevention of PMC. involve control of C. difficile. © 1979 The British Society for the Study of Infection.