Clostridium difficile colitis associated with cancer chemotherapy

Abstract

C. difficile and its toxin were found in the stools of 2 patients with colitis after chemotherapy for malignant neoplasms. Diarrhea in both patients resolved with oral vancomycin hydrochloride therapy. C. difficile was also isolated from several fomites within the room of 1 of these patients and also from the hands of his nurses. Based on these 2 recent experiences, patients with cancer and diarrhea or signs suggestive of colitis probably should be studied for toxigenic C. difficile and appropriate isolation techniques employed.