Estimation of nitrogen excretion based on abbreviated urinary collections in patients on continuous parenteral nutrition.

The physiologic response to stress can create a net loss of nitrogen, which is indicative of a catabolic state. Nitrogen balance has been demonstrated to be a useful clinical indicator of a patient's catabolic state and the effectiveness of parenteral nutrition, but requires an estimate of total urinary nitrogen excretion. The standard method for determining total urinary nitrogen excretion is 24-hour urinary urea nitrogen excretion.

Pseudomembranous colitis following low dose trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

A 94-year-old man had pseudomembranous colitis while taking low dose trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for recurrent urinary tract infection. The suppressive effect of low dose trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole on normal colonic flora appeared to be a factor in the development of pseudomembranous colitis in this patient.