Anaerobic bacteria as cause of the blind loop syndrome. A case report with observations on response to antibacterial agents.

Abstract

Summary A patient with malabsorption due to the blind loop syndrome was studied with quantitative aerobic and anaerobic cultures of afferent loop material and feces while he was exposed to a variety of antibacterial agents. Abnormalities in absorption of vitamin B 12 and fat chiefly paralleled the presence of large numbers of anaerobes, especially Bacteroides, in the afferent loop. We suggest that anaerobic bacteria, particularly Gram-negative anaerobic bacilli, may be important in the pathogenesis of the blind loop syndrome, at least in some patients. We feel that bacteriological studies of patients with this syndrome should be done quantitatively and that techniques appropriate for recovery of fastidious anaerobes should be included.