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Fulminant, Non-antibiotic Associated Clostridium difficile Colitis Following Salmonella Gastroenteritis

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Abstract

In the last decade there has been increasing awareness of the virulence and changing epidemiology of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile). While the vast majority of clinical cases of C. difficile are associated with antimicrobial or nosocomial exposure, this syndrome has been well described in the absence of antibiotic use. We present an unusual case of fatal, non-antibiotic associated C. difficile colitis following Salmonella serotype Saintpaul gastroenteritis in a previously healthy young person. We review the typical risk factors for C. difficile colitis and fulminant disease. We also review the epidemiology of community-acquired C. difficile-associated disease (CA-CDAD) and highlight Salmonella infection as a potential risk factor for development of CA-CDAD.

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Acknowledgements

The manuscript has not been simultaneously submitted elsewhere. The manuscript was prepared solely by the authors listed, and the authors listed on the manuscript have contributed sufficiently to the article to be included as authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road | BTE 119, Portland, OR, 97239, USA

    Stephanie A. C. Halvorson MD, Andrea S. Cedfeldt MD & Alan J. Hunter MD

  2. Section of Hospital and Subspecialty Medicine, Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA

    Andrea S. Cedfeldt MD

Authors
  1. Stephanie A. C. Halvorson MD
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  2. Andrea S. Cedfeldt MD
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  3. Alan J. Hunter MD
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Correspondence to Stephanie A. C. Halvorson MD.

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Halvorson, S.A.C., Cedfeldt, A.S. & Hunter, A.J. Fulminant, Non-antibiotic Associated Clostridium difficile Colitis Following Salmonella Gastroenteritis. J GEN INTERN MED 26, 95–97 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-010-1466-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-010-1466-y

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