| Abstract: |
This article is from a continuing education supplement that offers case studies that demonstrate the potential use of antibiotic therapy in the management of patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders. The cases provide examples of the pathogenic role of bacteria in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and suggest that treatment strategies that affect gut bacteria and the respective host responses to these pathogens might alleviate symptoms in patients with functional gastrointestinal symptoms. This article describes the case of a 55-year-old Caucasian woman who presented with a 10-year history of functional gastrointestinal symptoms, including mild diarrhea, severe constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, and gas. Symptoms were exacerbated by certain carbohydrates and alleviated only by not eating. A diagnosis of Rome II-positive, alternating-form irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was determined. Based on clinical symptoms, the patient was administered oral rifaximin 400 milligrams twice daily for 10 days. Following completion of rifaximin treatment, probiotic therapy and tegaserod 2 milligrams daily were administered as maintenance therapy. At 3 months follow-up, the patient had not experienced symptom recurrence. The author briefly discusses the implications of this case study. 4 references. |