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Management of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth

Gregg W Van Citters1, Henry C Lin

  • 1Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, HMR 101, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.

Current Gastroenterology Reports
|July 27, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is common in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. This paper re-evaluates SIBO diagnosis and treatment within the context of IBS, challenging previous understandings.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • The human gastrointestinal tract hosts 100 trillion bacteria, typically compartmentalized to the distal gut.
  • Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) was previously linked to rare conditions causing intestinal stasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To reconsider diagnostic and treatment approaches for SIBO.
  • To examine SIBO within the broader context of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and re-evaluation of diagnostic criteria for SIBO.
  • Analysis of SIBO prevalence in IBS patients.

Main Results:

  • SIBO is present in a high percentage (78-84%) of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
  • This finding challenges the traditional view of SIBO as a complication of uncommon intestinal stasis conditions.

Conclusions:

  • SIBO is a significant factor in a large proportion of IBS cases.
  • Diagnostic and treatment strategies for SIBO must be integrated into IBS management.

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