RESUMO
Five cases of lincomycin-clindamycin-associated acute pseudomembranous colitis, demonstrating a spectrum of clinical, histological and radiological severity, were encountered over a five-months period. All patients presented with watery diarrhoea without the passage of macroscopic blood or pus. Two patients were seriously ill with fulminant colitis, but responded rapidly to corticosteroids given parenterally and supportive therapy. The diagnosis of acute colitis should be considered in all patients developing diarrhoea during or up to three weeks after beginning therapy with lincomycin or clindamycin and can be confirmed by sigmoidoscopic examination. Withdrawal of the antibiotic and symptomatic treatment is appropriate for mild cases of colitis, but our experience suggests that corticosteroid therapy is safe and effective in severe cases. Indiscriminate use of these antibiotics should be avoided.
