Bacterial fermentation of an oral dose of the carbohydrate lactulose releases hydrogen. If there is an increase in bacteria in the upper small bowel, or if there is rapid intestinal transit, then an early peak in hydrogen can be detected in expired air.
An oral dose of conjugated bile acid, often glycine-glycocholate, with radiolabelled carbon in the amino portion, can be given as an alternative to lactulose. Bacterial action releases radiolabelled glycine, detected following metabolism as labelled carbon dioxide in the breath.
What functional tests would you use to detect hypolactasia, H pylori infection or malabsorption due to small intestinal disease?
No comments:
Post a Comment