Case Report
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World J Gastroenterol. Nov 14, 2013; 19(42): 7476-7479
Published online Nov 14, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i42.7476
Pseudomembranous colitis associated with a triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication
Anca Trifan, Irina Girleanu, Camelia Cojocariu, Catalin Sfarti, Ana Maria Singeap, Carmen Dorobat, Lucia Grigore, Carol Stanciu
Anca Trifan, Irina Girleanu, Camelia Cojocariu, Catalin Sfarti, Ana Maria Singeap, Carmen Dorobat, Lucia Grigore, “Gr. T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700111 Iasi, Romania
Anca Trifan, Camelia Cojocariu, Catalin Sfarti, Ana Maria Singeap, Carol Stanciu, Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” Emergency Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
Carmen Dorobat, Lucia Grigore, “St. Parascheva” Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases, 700111 Iasi, Romania
Author contributions: Trifan A and Stanciu C co-wrote the manuscript; Cojocariu C, Singeap AM, Dorobat C and Grigore L managed the patients; Girleanu I and Sfarti C contributed to the acquisition of data; all authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Carol Stanciu, MD, PhD, FRCP, Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” Emergency Hospital, Independentei 1, 700111 Iasi, Romania. carolstanciu@yahoo.com
Telephone: +40-722-306020 Fax: +40-232-264411
Received: June 5, 2013
Revised: August 18, 2013
Accepted: September 15, 2013
Published online: November 14, 2013
Processing time: 165 Days and 16.4 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Herein are described the cases of two elderly women who developed pseudomembranous colitis after one-week triple therapy consisting of pantoprazole (20 mg bid), clarithromycin (500 mg bid), and amoxicillin (1 g bid) to eradicate Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. After a 10-d treatment with oral vancomycin (125 mg every 6 h) both patients had complete resolution of symptoms and negative stool test for Clostridium difficile toxins. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion of pseudomembranous colitis as a rare, but severe complication of H. pylori therapy.