Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0024523 (malabsorption)
 7,319 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

After acute gastroenteritis, delayed recovery and protracted diarrhoea may occur, particularly in very young infants, in bottle-fed malnourished infants, and after rota virus infection. Monosaccharide and disaccharide malabsorption have been demonstrated to contribute to postenteritis problems in these children. The contribution of secondary food protein intolerance to the perpetuation of diarrhoea after gastroenteritis is less well understood. Secondary sugar intolerance is diagnosed by estimation of stool pH, Clinitest, H2 breath testing and, in some cases, direct enzyme determination from biopsy material. Diagnosis of secondary cow's milk or soy-protein intolerance has to be done by clinical challenge. Dietary therapy consists of elimination of the malabsorbed food compound. A general elimination diet (lactose-free protein hydrolysate formula) is not necessary in the majority of cases but may be life-saving in individual infants. In West European countries postenteritis problems have become less in quality and quantity during the last few years.
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PMID:[Secondary carbohydrate and protein intolerances following gastroenteritis]. 268 14

The experience with 211 cases of neonatal intestinal obstruction in Lagos, Nigeria, is described in an attempt to define the pattern in a developing country. Some of the major differences from the established pattern in the West include absence of meconium ileus and the relatively low prevalence of duodenal atresia which accounted for 8 per cent of bowel obstruction. Jejuno-ileal atresia and Hirschprung's disease constituted 21 and 14 per cent, respectively. Imperforate anus, as in the West, was the commonest, occurring in 38 per cent. Although neonatal intestinal obstruction was seen throughout the year a peak involving all the major types appeared in the second quarter. This may indicate an aetiological relationship with malaria. Delay in presentation, shortage of personnel, and inadequate facilities were the major problems associated with management of neonatal intestinal obstruction. The overall surgical mortality was 35 per cent; respiratory failure, metabolic disturbances, and malabsorption being the major causes of death.
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PMID:Neonatal intestinal obstruction in a developing tropical country: patterns, problems, and prognosis. 272 99

In addition to abnormalities in systemic immune function, patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the pre-AIDS syndromes have significant abnormalities in the distribution of T-cell subsets in the intestinal tract. Such immune deficits predispose such patients to opportunistic infections and tumors, many of which involve the gastrointestinal tract. For example, Candida albicans often causes stomatitis and esophagitis. Intestinal infections with parasites (Cryptosporidium, Isospora belli, Microsporidia) or bacteria (Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare) are associated with severe diarrhea and malabsorption, whereas viruses like cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus cause mucosal ulcerations. Clinically debilitating chronic diarrhea develops in many AIDS patients for which no clear cause can be identified. Enteric pathogens like Salmonella and Campylobacter can be associated with bacteremias. Kaposi's sarcoma and lymphoma involving the intestinal tract are now well-recognized complications of AIDS. Although AIDS is not associated with a pathognomonic liver lesion, opportunistic infections and Kaposi's sarcoma or lymphoma may involve the liver.
West J Med 1987 Jan
PMID:Gastrointestinal manifestations of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. 382 11

The results of clinical, laboratory and therapeutic observations conducted over a seven year period in 40 expatriates from the tropics who presented in New York City with overt tropical sprue have been described. The majority of subjects presented with symptoms referable to the gastrointestinal tract, weight loss and weakness. Only nine were symptomatic at the time of arrival; the remainder developed symptoms within several months to 14 years after arrival. Thirty-five subjects had a megaloblastic anemia; this was a secondary to a combined deficiency of folate and vitamin B12 in 25 and to deficiency of only one of these vitamins in the other ten. Serum concentrations of albumin, calcium, and cholesterol were subnormal in approximately one-half and the serum carotene concentrations were low in all but two subjects. Serum values of one or more immunoglobulin were reduced in 19. All 40 subjects had malabsorption of xylose; 12 of 19 tested had malabsorption of a pharmacologic dose of folic acid; 27 of 28 tested had malabsorption of vitamin B12; and 23 of 27 persons tested had steatorrhea. Jejunal morphology was abnormal in 34 of 35 subjects biopsied prior to treatment; villi were completely absent in four and showed changes of moderate severity in 30. Treatment with pharmacologic doses of folic acid or vitamin B12 produced a clinical remission in 18 of 21 patients. This remission was sustained in all 14 subjects who were followed for periods of from one to four years and reevaluation of intestinal morphology and function in nine showed improvement in all, but return to normal in less than one-half. Treatment with oral tetracycline for three weeks resulted in clinical improvement in 11 of 12 subjects, a hematologic response in nine of the ten cases who had a megaloblastic anemia, increased absorption of xylose and cessation of steatorrhea in all, and improved jejunal morphology in 11. Vitamin B12 absorption remained subnormal in nine. Continued antibiotic therapy for six months in eight patients was associated with additional weight gain, further improvement in jejunal morphology and xylose absorption in all, and return of vitamin B12 absorption to normal in all except one. Fifty asymptomatic expatriates from the West Indies were surveyed for abnormalities of intestinal function. The absorption of xylose was reduced in six (24%) of 25 subjects who had been resident in a temperate climate for less than one year but in only one (4%) of 25 persons who had been away from the tropics for more than a year.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Tropical sprue in expatriates from the tropics living in the continental United States. 495 Dec 35

It is important to understand which pancreatic function tests are available and how to interpret them when evaluating patients with malabsorption. Available direct tests are the secretin stimulation test, the Lundh test meal, and measurement of serum or fecal enzymes. Indirect tests assess pancreatic exocrine function by measuring the effect of pancreatic secretion on various nutrients. These include triglycerides labeled with carbon 14, cobalamin labeled with cobalt 57 and cobalt 58, and para-aminobenzoic acid bound to a dipeptide. Of all these tests the secretin stimulation test is the most accurate and reliable if done by experienced personnel. However, the indirect tests are simpler to do and appear to be comparable to the secretin test at detecting pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. These indirect tests are becoming clinically available and clinicians should familiarize themselves with the strengths and weaknesses of each.
West J Med 1981 Nov
PMID:Pancreatic exocrine function testing. 617 75

A total of 1805 apparently healthy, adult and adolescent Germans (1572 males and 233 females with a mean age of 20.3 years) were examined for lactose absorption capacity employing a field version of the breath hydrogen (H2) test. The diagnostic parameter, maximal change of breath hydrogen concentration 120 or 150 min after a load of 50 g lactose, showed a bimodal distribution, separating lactose absorbers (n = 1537, 85.2%) and lactose malabsorbers (n = 268, 14.8%). The distribution of the adult lactase phenotypes was independent of age, sex, and educational status. The incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms after lactose administration demonstrated the incongruity of lactose malabsorption and lactose intolerance. In addition to grouping by residence, the probands were classified according to the birthplaces of their grandparents in order to reconstruct the distribution pattern of the lactase phenotypes prior to World War I, a period of relative population stability. Considerable differences in the frequency of lactose malabsorption were found in regions corresponding to traditional ethnic groups within the German population: northwest Germany 6-9%, west and south 13-14%, southwest 23%, east (including formerly German territories east of rivers Oder and Neisse) 22%. These differences are discussed with reference to population history. The present fairly even distribution of the lactase phenotypes in West Germany is the result of internal migrations at the end of World War II.
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PMID:Distribution of physiological adult lactase phenotypes, lactose absorber and malabsorber, in Germany. 681 21

Gastrointestinal lymphoma, uncommon in the West, is far more prevalent in developing countries where it falls into two groups: 'Western'-type lymphomas, similar to those seen in developed countries, and the so-called Mediterranean-type lymphoma. It is now accepted that Mediterranean lymphoma represents, in the majority if not in all cases, the late stage of alpha heavy chain disease (alpha-HCD). This disease is characterized by abnormal secretion of an immunoglobulin fragment; alpha-HCD and Mediterranean lymphoma constitute two ends of a spectrum of pathology now classified as immunoproliferative small intestinal disease (IPSID). IPSID is associated predominantly with poor socioeconomic conditions; patients present with progressive malabsorption in the second and third decades of life. Diagnosis is established by small bowel biopsy, with or without high serum levels of the alpha heavy chain protein. Treatment consists of an initial staging laparotomy, with debulking of lymphomatous deposits if appropriate, followed by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Overall prognosis is poor but the recent use of doxorubicin-based chemotherapy offers some hope for the future.
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PMID:Immunoproliferative small intestinal disease: Mediterranean lymphoma and alpha heavy chain disease. 831 11

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of selective lactose malabsorption (SLM) in Khants, a small finno-ugric nation living in West Siberia. A total of 80 Khants from the Surgut region (Tyumen territory) were studied. The diagnosis of SLM was based on the evidence obtained at a 50 g lactose and, if possible, a 25 g + 25 g galactose-glucose loads. In 6 cases electron-microscopic examination of the duodenal mucosa was performed. The prevalence of SLM in the Khants reached 93-94% being the highest in CIS.
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PMID:[Prevalence of selective lactose malabsorption in Khants]. 864

Alpha heavy chain disease is a rare affection in the West and reported mainly in developing countries with the improvement of hygienic conditions, the disease become rare in Tunisia, the last case was reported in 1991. The aim of the study is to report a new Tunisian case and to describe clinical, endoscopical and histological characteristics of the disease. The patient in a 37 years old male, presented with chronic diarrhoea associated with malabsorption syndrome. The diagnosis of alpha heavy chain disease was confirmed by histological examination of the resected intestine after surgery for intestinal obstruction. The patient received chemotherapy. The follow up is of two months.
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PMID:[Alpha heavy chain disease. A Tunisian case]. 1726 8

Many of the vitamin deficiency diseases have been almost completely eliminated in developed countries. Niacin deficiency is considered one of them. However, cases of pellagra are recently reported in West Europe, USA, Australia, and Japan in connection with chronic alcoholism, gastrointestinal malabsorption, and some medications. We report two cases of pellagra, manifesting as photosensitivity dermatoses with mental deterioration in chronic alcoholic abusers in the Mediterranean basin, the island of Crete in Greece. The report highlights the fact that all physicians should be alerted to photosensitivity dermatoses in alcoholics; early treatment with multiple vitamin therapy, including nicotinic acid should be initiated in these patients.
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PMID:The diagnostic importance of photosensitivity dermatoses in chronic alcoholism: report of two cases. 1909 53


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