Intestinal flora translocation and overgrowth in upper gastrointestinal tract induced by hepatic failure

AIM:To explore the relationship between endoinfection caused by intestinal flora translocation and multiple organ dysfunction in hepatic failure.METHODS:By using the quantitative bacteria culture, bacteria colony was counted in GI tract, bile duct and mesenteric lymphonodus in rat hepatic failure model.RESULTS:Intestinal flora migrated up to the upper GI tract and overgrew in stomach and jejunum in rats with hepatic failure.The number of bacteria colonies in the specimens of stomach, jejunum and ileum were 4.7X10(4)/mL, 2.1X10(5)/mL, 5.5X10(6)/mL in experiment group and 4.6X10(2)/mL, 6.1X10(1)/mL, 2.4X10(3)/mL in control group respectively (P < 0.05 ). Bacteria in bile duct and mesenteric lymphonodus of hepatic failure rats were also cultured. Extensive damages of gastrointestinal mucosa caused by bacterial overgrowth were observed.CONCLUSION:Intestinal flora translocation and overgrowth in stomach and jejunum formed an endoinfectious source and caused obvious pathological injury of gastrointestinal mucosa, which play a very important role in developing abdominal distension, toxic intestinal expansion, alimentary tract haemorrhage and endotoxemia in patients with hepatic failure.