Symptoms of pseudomembranous enteritis

summary

Pseudomembranous enteritis is a kind of acute cellulosic exudative inflammation mainly occurring in colon and small intestine. It is caused by the imbalance of normal intestinal flora after the application of antibiotics. Clostridium difficile proliferates in large numbers and produces toxins to cause disease. Because of its close relationship with the application of antibiotics, it is also known as "antibiotic associated enteritis". The disease mostly occurs in the elderly, severe patients, patients with low immune function and patients after major surgery. Its clinical manifestations vary from mild diarrhea to high fever, severe diarrhea, water electrolyte disorder, toxic megacolon, and even life-threatening. The disease is serious and the mortality rate is high. The incidence rate of the disease is increasing due to the wide application of broad-spectrum antibiotics and immunosuppressive agents. The symptoms of pseudomembranous enteritis tell us.

Symptoms of pseudomembranous enteritis

Diarrhea is the main symptom, the degree and frequency of diarrhea are different. In mild cases, the stools were 2-3 times a day, and the patients recovered after stopping antibiotics; In severe cases, a large number of watery diarrhea, 30 times / day, some patients can discharge plaque pseudomembrane.

Often accompanied by abdominal pain, mostly in the lower abdomen, dull pain, distending pain or spasmodic pain, can also be accompanied by abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting, fever, severe and fulminant cases can appear water electrolyte disorders, hypoproteinemia, toxic and hypovolemic shock.

Peripheral blood leukocyte count increased, mainly neutrophils. There was no specific change in stool routine examination, only white blood cells, and gross bloody stool was rare. There are hypoalbuminemia, electrolyte imbalance or acid-base imbalance. Clostridium difficile can be found in most cases when fecal bacteria are cultured under special conditions. The anti toxin neutralization test of Clostridium mucilaginosum is often positive.

matters needing attention

First, we should pay attention to the use of antibiotics, avoid the abuse of antibiotics, reduce the incidence rate of pseudo-membranous enteritis, especially the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. We should have a clear purpose and stop the drug in time. Antibiotics that can induce Clostridium difficile should be avoided in elderly patients with weak body, especially after major abdominal and pelvic operations, and cancer patients with low immune function. The patients who must use antibiotics should be vigilant, early detection and timely treatment to reduce the occurrence of severe pseudomembranous enteritis.