Small bowel contamination and vitamin B12 deficiency in the elderly

Bacterial contamination of the small bowel in the elderly can occur without any anatomical defect, but the importance and pathogenesis of this phenomenon are debatable. We describe two such patients, both with profound vitamin B12 deficiency. Clinical recovery took place without specific treatment o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of clinical gastroenterology Vol. 8; no. 4; p. 447
Main Authors:	Chesner, I M, Montgomery, R D
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States 01-08-1986
Subjects:	Aged Aged, 80 and over Female Humans Intestine, Small - microbiology Malabsorption Syndromes - etiology Male Vitamin B 12 Deficiency - complications
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Summary:	Bacterial contamination of the small bowel in the elderly can occur without any anatomical defect, but the importance and pathogenesis of this phenomenon are debatable. We describe two such patients, both with profound vitamin B12 deficiency. Clinical recovery took place without specific treatment of the bacterial overgrowth. In one patient with pernicious anemia, malabsorption of xylose and fat was corrected after vitamin B12 therapy. In the other gastric acidity was normal, but unsuspected mesenteric ischemia led to gangrene of the bowel. In old age there may be more than one explanation for vitamin B12 deficiency and for bacterial overgrowth. Vitamin B12 deficiency within the intestinal cells may be one common factor leading to malabsorption.
ISSN:	0192-0790
DOI:	10.1097/00004836-198608000-00013