pseudomembranous colitis

Defintion : The pseudomembranous colitis inflammatory pattern is associated with infections primarily caused by Clostridium difficile and less frequently by other bacteria (E. coli, Shigella).

A similar pattern may be caused by ischemia, certain drugs and radiation injury.

The diffuse distribution of the lesions favor an infectious or drug induced etiology. The localized distribution of the lesions favor an ischemic etiology.

Images

 https://twitter.com/Konzult_/status/725064501536653313
 Pseudomembranous Colitis, Colectomy Specimen by Ed Euthman

Etiology

 Clostridium difficile

• antibiotherapy

Variants

 possible presence of signet ring cells

See also

 colitis

• acute colitis
• chronic colitis