Infective gastroenteritis and its relationship to reduced gastric acidity
Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. Supplement
|January 1, 1985
Summary
Reduced stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) increases susceptibility to intestinal infections like salmonellosis and giardiasis. This condition impairs upper gastrointestinal defenses, allowing bacterial and parasitic overgrowth.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Hypochlorhydria compromises upper gastrointestinal tract defenses.
- Reduced gastric acidity facilitates bacterial and parasitic colonization of the small intestine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between hypochlorhydria and increased risk of intestinal infections.
- To identify specific bacterial and parasitic infections associated with reduced stomach acid.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing evidence on hypochlorhydria and gastrointestinal infections.
- Analysis of studies reporting infection incidence in individuals with achlorhydria (absence of stomach acid).
Main Results:
- Strong evidence links achlorhydria to nontyphoid salmonelloses and suggestive evidence for cholera.
- Significant association found between hypochlorhydria and parasitic infections, particularly giardiasis and strongyloidiasis.
- Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine is significantly higher in individuals with achlorhydria.
Conclusions:
- Hypochlorhydria is a significant risk factor for various intestinal bacterial and parasitic infections.
- Further longitudinal studies are needed to fully evaluate the impact of hypochlorhydria and H2-receptor antagonists on infection risk.
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