Which antibiotic is commonly implicated in pseudomembranous colitis?

Which antibiotic is commonly implicated in pseudomembranous colitis?

• A. Penicillin G
• B. Amoxicillin
• C. Erythromycin
• D. Clindamycin

Answer: (D)

Antibiotic-associated disruption of the normal gut bacteria allows Clostridioides difficile to overgrow in the colon. The overgrowth leads to toxin production that damages the colonic mucosa and forms the characteristic pseudomembranes, causing pseudomembranous colitis. Clindamycin is classically linked to this condition because it has strong activity against anaerobes and was historically used in a way that profoundly disrupts the gut flora, creating a prime environment for C. difficile to flourish. Other antibiotics can contribute as well, but clindamycin has the strongest, most well-known association.

Antibiotic-associated disruption of the normal gut bacteria allows Clostridioides difficile to overgrow in the colon. The overgrowth leads to toxin production that damages the colonic mucosa and forms the characteristic pseudomembranes, causing pseudomembranous colitis. Clindamycin is classically linked to this condition because it has strong activity against anaerobes and was historically used in a way that profoundly disrupts the gut flora, creating a prime environment for C. difficile to flourish. Other antibiotics can contribute as well, but clindamycin has the strongest, most well-known association.