Short-chain fatty acids and other intestinal microflora-associated characteristics in faeces of patients with severe B-cell immunodeficiency

The intestinal microflora of 18 patients with severe B-cell immunodeficiency was studied by determination of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and other intestinal microflora-associated characteristics in the faeces. Glucose-hydrogen (H2) breath test was also performed. The results were within normal values in most of the patients, indicating no major pathologic changes in the intestinal bacterial microflora. These findings do not indicate any important role of the mucosa-associated B-cell system in the regulation of the composition and metabolic activity of the intestinal microflora.