Which antibiotic is explicitly associated with pseudomembranous colitis with prolonged use?

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Multiple Choice

Which antibiotic is explicitly associated with pseudomembranous colitis with prolonged use?

Antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis happens when antibiotics wipe out much of the normal colonic bacteria, allowing Clostridioides difficile to overgrow and release toxins A and B that inflame the colon and form a pseudomembrane. This disruption of the gut flora is most strongly linked to clindamycin, especially with prolonged use, because its broad activity in the gut markedly reduces the protective normal bacteria that keep C. difficile in check. The resulting toxin-mediated inflammation produces the characteristic colitis. Other antibiotics can alter gut flora as well, but the association with pseudomembranous colitis is not as pronounced as with clindamycin. Metronidazole is actually used to treat C. difficile infection, not to cause it, so it doesn’t fit the clue in the stem.

Antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis happens when antibiotics wipe out much of the normal colonic bacteria, allowing Clostridioides difficile to overgrow and release toxins A and B that inflame the colon and form a pseudomembrane. This disruption of the gut flora is most strongly linked to clindamycin, especially with prolonged use, because its broad activity in the gut markedly reduces the protective normal bacteria that keep C. difficile in check. The resulting toxin-mediated inflammation produces the characteristic colitis.

Other antibiotics can alter gut flora as well, but the association with pseudomembranous colitis is not as pronounced as with clindamycin. Metronidazole is actually used to treat C. difficile infection, not to cause it, so it doesn’t fit the clue in the stem.

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