Diarrhoea, antibiotic-induced

In antibiotic-induced diarrhea, a distinction is made between osmotic, secretory and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea and segmental hemorrhagic colitis.

Osmotic diarrhea occurs frequently and with soft and voluminous stool. In this form of diarrhoea, the colon flora is altered in such a way that carbohydrates in the colon are not broken down sufficiently. Osmotic diarrhoea usually occurs while taking ampiciline.

Secretory diarrhoea occurs when dihydroxy bile acids are not dehydroxylated by bacteria to secondary bile acids. Secretory diarrhoea can be caused by bacteria, viruses and protozoa or medication.

Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhoea is the most common cause of nosocomial diarrhoea and is caused by the pathogen Clostridioides difficile (formerly: Clostridium difficile).