Pseudomembranous colitis after whole gut irrigation with neomycin and erythromycin base.

An unprecedented fatal case of pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) is described, associated with the use of topical antibiotics (neomycin and erythromycin base) during whole gut irrigation. This case was one of a cluster of five, occurring within a period of 4 months in 1978. These observations tend to support the hypothesis that disturbances in bacterial flora give rise to PMC and furthermore that the short-term use of antibiotics does not prevent the occurrence of PMC.