Antibiotic-associated colitis due to Clostridium difficile: Double-blind comparison of vancomycin with bacitracin

Abstract

A randomized double-blind study was carried out in patients with unresolving antibiotic-associated colitis due to Clostridium difficile, to compare the effect of bacitracin (80,000 U/day) with vancomycin (500 mg/day) on the resolution of symptoms, clearance of organism, and prevention of relapse. Forty-two patients with colitis, 9 of whom had a pseudomembrane, were randomized, 21 patients to each treatment group. The two groups were comparable in age, disease severity, and antibiotic exposure. For a 50% reduction in stool frequency the mean times (± SE) were 4.1 ± 0.4 days for bacitracin and 4.2 ± 0.4 days for vancomycin. Sixteen patients (76%) had symptom resolution after 7 days of treatmen..