Korean J Gastroenterol.  2008 Nov;52(5):315-319.

Hemorrhagic Colitis due to Escherichia coli O157 Infection in a Patient with Takayasu's Arteritis

• Lee SH
• Jang BI
• Kim TN

Abstract

Escherichia coli (E coli) O157 may cause abdominal pain and diarrhea followed by hematochezia. Most of cases resolve spontaneously after several days. Takayasu's arteritis affects medium- and large-sized arteries, aortic arch and its branch, and rarely affects inferior mesenteric artery. In case of Takayasu's arteritis with hematochezia, we must distinguish among ulcerative colitis, ischemic colitis, and infectious colitis with Takayasu's arteritis. We report a case of 17-year-old woman who suffered from hemorrhagic colitis by E. coli O157, and combined with leg claudication and abdominal pain by Takayasu's arteritis that affected abdominal aorta and inferior mesenteric artery. Sigmoidoscopy showed edematous, hyperemic mucosa and superficial ulcerations in the sigmoid colon. Abdominal CT scan showed diffuse submucosal edema, narrowing of distal abdominal aorta and inferior mesenteric artery. Hematochezia disappeared after the conservative treatment and leg claudication and abdominal pain disappeared after the aortic angioplasty.

Keyword

Colitis; Escherichia coli; Takayasu's arteritis

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Angiography
Colitis/*diagnosis/etiology/pathology
Escherichia coli Infections/complications/*diagnosis
*Escherichia coli O157
Female
Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/*diagnosis/etiology
Humans
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Sigmoidoscopy
Takayasu Arteritis/*radiography/therapy
Tomography, Spiral Computed