D-Lactic Acidosis in Short Bowel Syndrome - An Examination of Possible Mechanisms

Two patients, both with short bowel syndrome, presented withsevere D-lactic acidosis associated with subacute small bowelobstruction and bizarre neurological signs. In neither patientwere D-lactic acid-producing organisms isolated from the upperintestine. In both, upper intestinal aspirates yielded a glucose-fermentingyeast, Torulopsis glabrata. Although intestinal aspirates fromboth contained significant quantities of ethanol alcohol couldnot be detected in concomitant blood samples. A glucose loadtest produced a rise in blood D-lactic acid in both. One patienthas evidence of mild persisting renal tubular damage. The samepatient responded to oral antibiotics but the other relapsedfrequently despite continuous antibiotic treatment. He was shownto be thiamine deficient and since the administration of oralthiamine he has had no recurrence of symptoms or of D-lacticacidosis.     

Metabolic acidosis and thiamine deficiency

We describe a 19-year-old patient who was receiving home parenteral nutrition in whom lactic acidosis developed. A review of her home parenteral nutrition formula revealed the absence of multivitamins, most significantly thiamine. After thiamine administration, the acidosis resolved, and the patient experienced pronounced clinical improvement. Clinicians must be aware that thiamine is essential for normal glucose metabolism and that thiamine deficiency can lead to lactic acidosis. Thiamine deficiency should be included in the differential diagnosis of lactic acidosis. The recent shortage of intravenous multivitamin preparations has led to documented cases of lactic acidosis as a result of thiamine deficiency, and a previous shortage led to several deaths due to lactic acidosis as a consequence of thiamine deficiency. All patients receiving parenteral nutrition must also receive adequate vitamin supplementation.     

老年中重度AECOPD患者肠道黏膜功能的临床研究

目的 探讨老年中重度COPD急性加重（AECOPD）患者肠道黏膜功能,以及肠道黏膜功能与其临床指标的相关性。方法 选择200例老年中重度AECOPD住院患者为研究组、同期门诊随访的150例老年中重度COPD稳定期患者为对照组,对研究组进行肺部感染评分（CPIS）,评估2组患者的营养状态。采集2组患者血液标本,检测并比较...     

Cardiac beriberi among illegal mainland Chinese immigrants

The most common symptoms of chronic beriberi due to thiamine deficiency include dyspnoea, fatigue, leg oedema, lower extremity weakness and numbness. When collapsed peripheral circulation, metabolic acidosis, or shock are present, the disease has advanced from chronic beriberi to pernicious or fulminating beriberi heart failure (Shoshin beriberi). We report two patients with fulminating beriberi; both of whom had been incarcerated at a detention centre for 5 months before hospitalization. A prolonged monotonous diet, low in thiamine, was a major risk factor in both patients. Thiamine deficiency should be considered for any patient with symptoms and signs compatible with beriberi.     

Wernicke's encephalopathy — causes to consider

Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is a thiamine deficiency disorder and is characterized clinically by the triad of ocular abnormalities, ataxia and disturbances of consciousness. We report on 3 patients with WE, of whom 2 had insufficient thiamine substitution. In the first patient symptoms disappeared during thiamine substitution. In the second patient acute WE was the terminating event in the sequence of parenteral nutrition, lactic acidosis and cardio-pulmonary decompensation. Possibly due to heriditary deficits WE developed in the third patient despite sufficient thiamine substitution. Attention to thiamine deficiency should be paid in all patients with history of alcoholism, malnutrition, malabsorption, tumors, inflammation, other severe diseases and in parenteral hyperalimentation. In order to prevent WE thiamine should be substituted with at least 100 mg/day i.v. or i.m.     

Shoshin beriberi: an underdiagnosed condition?

Shoshin beriberi, a fulminant form of heart failure due to thiamine deficiency has a different presentation to the classical form of beriberi heart failure. It is characterized by a cold periphery, low blood pressure, renal shutdown and a severe metabolic acidosis. The true incidence is unknown. Two patients were seen within a few months in a general hospital and in both dietary deficiency of thiamine was a major factor.     

Fatal metabolic acidosis caused by thiamine deficiency

Acute thiamine deficiency, an uncommon cause of hemodynamic instability in Western countries, may be manifested by acute heart failure and neurological deficits. Severe metabolic acidosis is one of its least recognized features. We present a report of foreign workers who complained of weakness and lower limb edema and were found to have acute thiamine deficiency. One died of refractory metabolic acidosis and shock, and the diagnosis was reached post mortem. Thiamine deficiency should be considered in every case of severe lactic acidosis without an obvious cause, especially in high-risk populations (malnourished, alcoholics, Far-East workers, etc). Whenever it is suspected, empiric treatment with thiamine should be initiated immediately. Physicians who care for populations at risk should be familiar with the clinical spectrum of nutritional deficits, and monitor the nutritional habits of these patients carefully. The treatment is inexpensive and devoid of adverse effects. Moreover, delaying thiamine administration in patients with deficiency may cause severe life-threatening metabolic acidosis and affect recovery. The prophylactic use of thiamine in a high-risk population, even before blood levels are received, may be cost effective.     

Rapid diagnosis of alcoholic ketoacidosis by proton NMR

In alcoholic patients, metabolic acidosis can be related to lactate acidosis associated with sepsis or thiamine deficiency, ketoacidosis, methanol or ethylene glycol poisoning. High resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) can be used to detect abnormal organic acid metabolites in urine or serum from patients with various metabolic disorders. In the present case, a 26-year-old patient was admitted for a coma associated with severe metabolic acidosis. Alcoholic ketoacidosis (AKA) was identified by urine proton NMR. Her metabolic disorders rapidly improved. Persisting associated neurological alteration was related to extrapontine myelinolysis as shown by imaging cerebral NMR.     

53-years-old with mental status changes

D-lactic acidosis, a complication of short bowel syndrome, presents with a variety of neurological symptoms and metabolic acidosis. Treatment is hydration, replacement of nutritional deficiency replacement, and selective antibiotics. Prevention entails complex carbohydrate diet and vitamin and mineral supplements. The authors have stated that they do not have a significant financial interest or other relationship with any product manufacturer or provider of services discussed in this article. The authors also do not discuss the use of off-label products, which includes unlabeled, unapproved, or investigative products or devices.     

Assay of D-lactate in urine of infants and children with reference values taking into account data below detection limit

Accumulation of D-lactic acid produced by intestinal bacteria such as streptococci and lactobacilli has been extensively studied in ruminants [1-4]. In humans an increased production of D-lactate by intestinal bacteria under pathological conditions such as the short bowel syndrome can cause metabolic acidosis [5-8]. Since the lactate assays routinely used only measure L-lactate we developed a sensitive method of D-lactate quantification and established reference values in spot urines of infants and children (0 to 4 years of age). The enzymatic method with fluorimetric quantification of NADH is linear up to 2 mmol/l. It has a detection limit of 3.4 micromol/l. Among structurally related organic acids an interference was found only for L-lactate and DL-2-hydroxybutyrate at concentrations which are way beyond their physiological excretion. One hundred and sixty five spot urines of healthy Swiss (S), Austrian (A), German (G) and Chilean (CHI) infants aged from 0 to 4 years were analyzed. The distribution of the data is close to a lognormal one. Values below the detection limit were simulated and age groups were formed. In all populations D-lactate excretion was found highest during the first year of life; it declines with age during infancy and remains stable from 2.5 to 4 years of age. We show that D-lactate is excreted physiologically by healthy infants and children below 4 years of age and present reference values for D-lactate excretion which show some differences between the populations tested.     

Management of the patient with short bowel syndrome

Extensive resection of the small bowel results in impaired digestion of macronutrients and malabsorption of nutrients, fluid, electrolytes, and minerals. Gastric acid hypersecretion and alterations in gut hormonal response further contribute to the problem. Diarrhea, dehydration, electrolyte and acid/base abnormalities, and macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies ensue, and is termed the short bowel syndrome (SBS). Rare disorders, such as essential fatty acid deficiency and D-lactic acidosis, are a greater concern for the SBS patient. These patients' lives are significantly impacted, and they require close monitoring by a medical team knowledgeable about the disease and its nutritional, metabolic, and psychosocial consequences. Immediate therapies are directed toward fluid resuscitation, wound healing, and initiation of early nutrition support. After medical stabilization, multiple nutritional and medicinal therapies are used to aid bowel adaptation and prevent medical crisis. Advanced practice nurses should be knowledgeable about SBS to educate patients and families about this disease, associated therapies and changes in lifestyle, and how to detect and manage acute changes in medical condition.     

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in wet beriberi

The clinical presentation of beriberi can be quite varied. In the extreme form, profound cardiovascular involvement leads to circulatory collapse and death. This case report is of a 72 year-old male who was admitted to the Neurology inpatient ward with progressive bilateral lower extremity weakness and parasthesia. He subsequently developed pulmonary edema and high output cardiac failure requiring intubation and blood pressure support. With the constellation of peripheral neuropathy, encephalopathy, ophthalmoplegia, unexplained heart failure, and lactic acidosis, thiamine deficiency was suspected. He was empirically initiated on thiamine replacement therapy and his thiamine level pre-therapy was found to be 23 nmol/L (Normal: 80-150 nmol/L), consistent with the diagnosis of beriberi. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) showed severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction, markedly increased myocardial T2, and minimal late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). After 5 days of daily 100 mg IV thiamine and supportive care, the hypotension resolved and the patient was extubated and was released from the hospital 3 weeks later. Our case shows via CMR profound myocardial edema associated with wet beriberi.     

Extraction of entrapped capsules from the small bowel by means of push-and-pull enteroscopy with the double-balloon technique

The new technique of push-and-pull enteroscopy using the double-balloon technique (double-balloon enteroscopy) makes it possible to remove swallowed foreign bodies causing intestinal obstruction deep in the small bowel without the need for surgical laparotomy. This report describes two cases of enteroscopic removal of entrapped capsules. In one patient with acute recurrent intestinal bleeding and recurrent abdominal pain, Crohn's disease had been suspected on capsule endoscopy. The second patient, with known Crohn's disease, was suffering from abdominal pain and underwent capsule endoscopy for investigation of the small bowel. Prior enteroclysis had not revealed stenoses in either patient. An oral approach was chosen and the capsules were identified approximately 140 cm and 310 cm from the pylorus, respectively, in front of stenoses. The capsule endoscopes were removed successfully in both patients by means of push-and-pull enteroscopy using a new enteroscope device.     

不同肠道准备法对结直肠癌病人肠道屏障功能影响的研究

目的 采用磷酸钠口服液和恒康正清进行肠道准备后,观察结直肠癌病人血液中的IL-1、IL-6、TNF-α的变化,了解两种肠道准备法对肠道黏膜屏障功能的影响.方法 将60例结直肠癌患者随机分为实验组和对照组,每组30例,实验组采用磷酸钠口服液进行肠道准备,对照组采用恒康正清进行肠道准备,两组病人在肠道准备前和手术当日晨留取静脉血样,并对血样进行IL-1、IL-6、TNF-α的测定.结果 经肠道准备后对照组的IL-6明显高于实验组(P＜0.05),而IL-1、TNF-α在两组中差别不大(P＞0.05).结论 两种肠道准备法对肠道屏障作用影响不大,但恒康正清对肠道屏障的损伤作用大于磷酸钠口服液.     

乳酸菌对肠粘膜通透性及中小分子尿毒素清除的影响

目的研究乳酸菌对慢性肾衰竭大鼠的肠粘膜通透性及中小分子尿毒素清除的影响。方法40只SD大鼠分为正常对照组（10只）行假手术,30只作5/6肾切除后分为肾衰竭病理对照组、双歧杆菌治疗组和乳酸杆菌治疗组。喂养1周后处死动物留取血粪标本。用紫外线吸收法测定血/粪中分子物质（MMS）。尿素（UN）和肌酐（Cr）;用酶偶联紫外分光度法检测血D-乳酸。结果病理对照组血、粪MMS和UN、Cr均升高（P〈0.01）;血浆D-乳酸含量增高（P〈0.01）。双歧杆菌治疗组和乳酸杆菌治疗组较病理对照组的血浆D-乳酸含量降低（P〈0.01）;BUN、SCr均降低（P〈0.01）;而粪UN、Cr均增加（P〈0.01）。结论双歧杆菌和乳酸杆菌均可维持慢性肾衰竭大鼠肠粘膜正常通透性,加速肠道清除MMS,分解肠道内尿素和肌酐降低其血中的浓度。     

Blood flow evaluation using PINPOINT® in a case of incarcerated inguinal hernia: A case report

Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence for intestinal blood flow has been reported, but application during laparoscopic surgery for incarcerated inguinal hernia has not been reported. Here, we report the case of a patient with an incarcerated inguinal hernia in whom the bowel was preserved after evaluation of intestinal blood flow with ICG fluorescence using PINPOINT®, a brightfield full‐color, near‐infrared fluorescence camera. A man in his 80s was diagnosed with incarcerated inguinal hernia and underwent laparoscopic surgery. The ascending colon and mesentery showed deep red discoloration on gross evaluation. However, intravenous injection of ICG revealed uniform fluorescence of the mesentery and bowel wall, indicating the absence of irreversible ischemic changes of the bowel. As such, no resection was performed, and transabdominal preperitoneal patch plasty was completed. The patient had a good postoperative course. In this case, ICG fluorescence with the PINPOINT was useful to avoid bowel resection during laparoscopic surgery.     

Wernicke encephalopathy complicating lymphoma therapy: case report and literature review

Thiamine deficiency can occur in any disease that results in inadequate intake or excessive loss of vitamin B1. In addition to increased thiamine consumption secondary to high cell turnover, cancer patients frequently have reduced oral intake as a direct result of their cancer or from cancer treatments. However, Wernicke encephalopathy (cerebral Beriberi), a clinical manifestation of thiamine deficiency, has rarely been associated with cancer patients. We report a case of Wernicke encephalopathy in a nonalcoholic patient with lymphoma. Although thiamine deficiency rarely potentiates clinical sequelae in cancer patients, it is important to recognize the risk and the clinical signs and manifestations so that prompt therapy can be initiated to reverse morbidity.     

肝移植过程中合并小肠坏死2例

背景：肝移植过程中合并肠坏死发生率低,并且多放弃手术治疗导致患者死亡。目的：回顾性分析肝移植过程中合并小肠坏死的常见原因,探讨可行的治疗方案。方法：总结207例肝移植患者资料,其中2例患者肝移植过程中发现小肠坏死,病例1行肝移植联合坏死小肠切除,病例2放弃肝移植,保守治疗。结果与结论：2例患者移植前均存在门脉系统血栓。病例1患者移植前上消化道出血,反复止血药物应用加重血栓,进而导致肠坏死发生。患者肝移植后第10天发现肠瘘,行造瘘术。造瘘术后患者合并腹腔、肺部感染。抗感染治疗并停用免疫抑制剂7d后感染控制。造瘘术后40d肠瘘愈合,康复出院。目前,随访两年余患者健康生存;病例2移植前大量腹水导致腹腔间室综合征发生,肠道静脉回流障碍导致广泛小肠坏死。放弃肝移植后第2天,患者因多脏器功能衰竭死亡。可见等待肝移植患者,如移植前存在门脉系统血栓,合并腹痛、腹胀等症状时,需警惕肠坏死发生;肝移植过程中如发现小肠坏死,可行肝移植联合坏死小肠切除,患者可获得良好预后。     

Kaposi's sarcoma of the intestinal tract: Roentgen manifestations

Five cases of generalized Kaposi's sarcoma are reported with roentgen evidence of involvement of the intestinal tract. In three instances, there was extensive involvement of the small bowel with multiple intramural nodules. The fourth patient demonstrated multiple polypoid lesions of the colon, and in the fifth a constricting lesion of the ileum was present. Two patients with small bowel involvement had significant malabsorption. This latter complication of diffuse Kaposi's sarcoma of the small bowel has not been previously reported. The diagnosis of the nature of the roentgen intestinal abnormality can usually be made, because intestinal involvement generally occurs late in the disease, when both extensive cutaneous nodules and edema of the extremities are apparent.     

Methods to test feeding tube placement in children

PURPOSE: This replication study examined the extent to which feeding-tube aspirates (pH and enzyme content) are effective predictors of feeding tube location in acutely ill children. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A convenience sample of 56 children was obtained at a metropolitan children's hospital. Approximately 2.5 ml of fluid were withdrawn from children's nasogastric, orogastric, or nasointestinal tubes within 30 minutes of radiographic examination. Fluid was tested for pH and enzymes, and results were compared with radiographic results of tube location. RESULTS: Mean gastric pH was significantly lower than mean intestinal pH. Mean fasting gastric pepsin level was significantly higher than mean fasting intestinal pepsin level. Usual intestinal constituent, trypsin, was significantly higher in the small bowel than in the stomach. Mean fasting trypsin level was 70 microg/ml in the intestine, and only 10 microg/ml in the gastric site. Predictive positive value was >90% for all tests; predictive negative value was < 65%. Colors of the gastric aspirates were distinctly different from those observed in intestinal aspirates. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Methods of aspirating fluid from feeding tubes and testing visually or assaying for aspirate characteristics were found to be adaptable from adults to children. The clinical implications of being able to use a test as simple as pH of feeding aspirates means that nurses can easily test these aspirates in any clinical setting using reliable pH test strips, similar to what was done in this study. These data add evidence that suggests indicators of tube location effective in adults are also effective in children.