Enteric infections complicating ulcerative colitis

ABSTRACT

Enteric infections have previously been postulated to play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), however, little evidence exists in the etiologic role of specific enteric infections in the development of IBD. When encountered in the setting of IBD, enteric infections pose a clinical challenge in management given the competing treatment strategies for infectious conditions and autoimmune disorders. Here we present the case of a young male with enteric infections complicating a new diagnosis of IBD. Our patient's initial clinical presentation included diagnoses of Klebsiella oxytoca isolation and Clostridium difficile infection. Directed therapies to include withdrawal of antibiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation were performed without resolution of clinical symptoms. Given persistence of symptoms and active colitis, the patient was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC), requiring treatments directed at severe UC to include cyclosporine therapy. The finding of multiple enteric infections in a newly presenting patient with IBD is an unexpected finding that has treatment implications.