Have enteric infections a role in 5-fluorouracil-associated diarrhea?

Abstract

In 16 advanced colorectal cancer patients with 5-fluorouracil-associated diarrhea, we evaluated the role of bacterial pathogens in the development of this adverse effect. Neither Clostridium difficile nor other pathogens were cultured from fecal specimens. These data seem to suggest that it is unlikely that intestinal infections have a role in the pathogenesis of 5FU-associated diarrhea.