title: Lactase degradation by human enteric bacteria.
abstract: Twelve non-pathogenic bacteria and two yeast strains isolated from the duodenal aspirate or mucosa of five children with diarrhoea were tested for their ability to degrade non-human lactase in vitro. Both yeast strains and eleven of the bacterial strains significantly reduced lactase activity. A similar action on human lactase could be a cause of lactose intolerance.
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002175:Candida / Q000378:metabolism*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004386:Duodenum / Q000201:enzymology / Q000382:microbiology*; D005696:Galactosidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007223:Infant; D007787:Lactose Intolerance / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005696:Galactosidases; D001616:beta-Galactosidase