Small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth in patients with liver cirrhosis, diagnosed with glucose H2 or CH4 breath tests.

BACKGROUND: Small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) has been considered a predisposing factor of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients by bacterial translocation or hematogenous spread during spontaneous bacteremia. We investigated 45 cirrhotic patients and 28 healthy subjects to assess the prevalence of SIBO and its relationship with the severity of liver dysfunction and the presence of ascites.

METHODS: Bacterial overgrowth was measured by the glucose hydrogen and methane breath test.

RESULTS: SIBO was documented in 16 (35.6%) of the 45 cirrhotic patients and in 1 (3.6%) of the 28 healthy controls. The prevalence of SIBO was significantly higher in patients with Child-Pugh class B or C (50%) than in those with class A (19%) and had no relationship with the presence or absence of ascites.

CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the prevalence of SIBO in cirrhotic patients is approximately 35.6% and that it is related to the severity of liver disease. There was no difference among various causes of cirrhosis, such as viral, alcoholic, or idiopathic.