Does long-term inhibition of gastric acid secretion with omeprazole lead to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth?
OBJECTIVE
Gastric acid secretion and small intestinal motility are the main mechanisms of defense against bacterial overgrowth of the proximal digestive tract. Bacterial colonization of the stomach during gastric acid inhibition has been documented, but is probably without clinical consequence. However, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth can have serious clinical implications with malabsorption and diarrhoea.


METHODS
We prospectively investigated small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in 40 patients receiving long-term omeprazole treatment using the [14C]glycocholic breath test. Tests were performed before omeprazole treatment, after 6 weeks treatment with 40 mg o.m. and after 26 weeks treatment with 20 mg; in the test each patient served as his own control.


RESULTS
Breath tests, using individual curves, peak values, time at which the peak appeared and the area under the curve, did not differ significantly during treatment from those before treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that long-term strong inhibition of gastric acid secretion does not lead to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
Department of Gastroenterology, Sophia Hospital, Zwolle, Netherlands.
G F
GF
Nelis
A H
AH
Engelage
G
G
Samson
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D001944:Breath Tests; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D009853:Omeprazole