Auto-brewery syndrome: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 02:44, 11 December 2024

Auto-brewery Syndrome

Auto-brewery syndrome, also known as gut fermentation syndrome, is a rare medical condition in which intoxicating quantities of ethanol are produced through endogenous fermentation within the digestive system. This condition can lead to symptoms of intoxication without the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Pathophysiology

Auto-brewery syndrome occurs when certain types of yeast or bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract ferment carbohydrates into ethanol. The most commonly implicated organism is Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a type of yeast that is also used in baking and brewing. Other organisms, such as Candida albicans, have also been associated with this condition.

The fermentation process is similar to the ethanol fermentation used in brewing, where sugars are converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide. In individuals with auto-brewery syndrome, this process occurs within the digestive system, leading to elevated blood alcohol levels.

Symptoms

Symptoms of auto-brewery syndrome can vary but often include:

Dizziness
Disorientation
Nausea
Vomiting
Headaches
Flushing
Hangover-like symptoms
Mood changes

These symptoms can occur after consuming carbohydrate-rich meals, as the carbohydrates are fermented into alcohol.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing auto-brewery syndrome can be challenging due to its rarity and the variability of symptoms. Diagnosis typically involves:

Monitoring blood alcohol levels over time, especially after carbohydrate consumption.
Stool cultures to identify yeast or bacteria responsible for fermentation.
Dietary history to identify potential triggers.

Treatment

Treatment for auto-brewery syndrome may include:

Dietary modifications to reduce carbohydrate intake.
Antifungal or antibiotic medications to reduce the population of fermenting organisms in the gut.
Probiotics to restore normal gut flora.

Prognosis

With appropriate treatment, many individuals with auto-brewery syndrome can manage their symptoms effectively. However, the condition can be chronic and may require ongoing management.

Also see

Template:Alcohol-related disorders

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-[[Auto-brewery syndrome]] (ABS), also referred to as gut fermentation syndrome, endogenous ethanol fermentation, or drunkenness disease, is a rare medical condition characterized by the production of ethanol, an intoxicating substance, within the human body. This is caused by an overgrowth of specific types of yeast and bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract that ferment ingested carbohydrates.
+Auto-brewery Syndrome
-== Pathophysiology ==
+[[File:2401 Components of the Digestive System.jpg|thumb|Components of the Digestive System]]
+[[File:Ethanol fermentation.jpg|thumb|Ethanol fermentation process]]
-The pathogenesis of ABS involves the conversion of dietary carbohydrates into alcohol (ethanol) by microbes residing in the digestive tract. These microbes, predominantly yeasts and bacteria such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, S. boulardii, Candida species (including C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. glabrata, and C. kefyr), C. parapsilosis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterococcus faecium, use lactic acid fermentation or mixed acid fermentation pathways to produce ethanol as an end product.
+'''Auto-brewery syndrome''', also known as '''gut fermentation syndrome''', is a rare medical condition in which intoxicating quantities of ethanol are produced through endogenous fermentation within the digestive system. This condition can lead to symptoms of intoxication without the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
-== Clinical Features ==
+==Pathophysiology==
+Auto-brewery syndrome occurs when certain types of yeast or bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract ferment carbohydrates into ethanol. The most commonly implicated organism is ''[[Saccharomyces cerevisiae]]'', a type of yeast that is also used in baking and brewing. Other organisms, such as ''[[Candida albicans]]'', have also been associated with this condition.
-Individuals with ABS may experience symptoms of inebriation, including dizziness, disorientation, and slurred speech, despite not consuming alcohol. The onset of these symptoms can occur after meals rich in carbohydrates.
+The fermentation process is similar to the [[ethanol fermentation]] used in brewing, where sugars are converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide. In individuals with auto-brewery syndrome, this process occurs within the [[digestive system]], leading to elevated blood alcohol levels.
-== Diagnosis and Treatment ==
+==Symptoms==
+Symptoms of auto-brewery syndrome can vary but often include:
+* Dizziness
+* Disorientation
+* Nausea
+* Vomiting
+* Headaches
+* Flushing
+* Hangover-like symptoms
+* Mood changes
-The diagnosis of ABS is challenging due to its rarity and overlapping symptoms with other conditions. It usually involves tests to measure blood alcohol concentration over time following a carbohydrate-rich meal. Treatment typically includes dietary modifications to limit carbohydrate intake and antibiotics or antifungal medications to reduce the population of fermenting microbes.
+These symptoms can occur after consuming carbohydrate-rich meals, as the carbohydrates are fermented into alcohol.
+==Diagnosis==
+Diagnosing auto-brewery syndrome can be challenging due to its rarity and the variability of symptoms. Diagnosis typically involves:
+* Monitoring blood alcohol levels over time, especially after carbohydrate consumption.
+* Stool cultures to identify yeast or bacteria responsible for fermentation.
+* Dietary history to identify potential triggers.
+==Treatment==
+Treatment for auto-brewery syndrome may include:
+* Dietary modifications to reduce carbohydrate intake.
+* Antifungal or antibiotic medications to reduce the population of fermenting organisms in the gut.
+* Probiotics to restore normal gut flora.
+==Prognosis==
+With appropriate treatment, many individuals with auto-brewery syndrome can manage their symptoms effectively. However, the condition can be chronic and may require ongoing management.
+==Also see==
+* [[Ethanol fermentation]]
+* [[Saccharomyces cerevisiae]]
+* [[Candida albicans]]
+* [[Digestive system]]
+{{Digestive system diseases}}
+{{Alcohol-related disorders}}
 [[Category:Rare diseases]]
+[[Category:Alcohol-related disorders]]
 [[Category:Gastroenterology]]
-[[Category:Metabolic disorders]]
-{{stub}}
-== References ==
-<references/>
-# Cordell B, Kanodia A, Miller GK. "Case-control research study of Auto-Brewery Syndrome." Global Advances in Health and Medicine. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6648766/ Case-control research study of Auto-Brewery Syndrome]
-# Spinucci G, Guidetti M, Lanzoni E, Pironi L. "Endogenous ethanol production in a patient with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth." European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. [https://journals.lww.com/eurojgh/Abstract/2006/06000/Endogenous_ethanol_production_in_a_patient_with.22.aspx Endogenous ethanol production]
-# Yokoyama A, Omori T. "Auto-Brewery Syndrome (Gut Fermentation)." BioPsychoSocial Medicine. [https://bpsmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1751-0759-7-11 Journal article]