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Endogenous alcohol production by intestinal fermentation in sudden infant death

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Summary

In some cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) the intestinal flora was found to be dominated byCandida albicans. Microbiologic investigations of the various organs showed the occasional presence of different Candida species, but not in the form of massive growth as in sepsis. There is no basis to assume that the activity of yeasts, first of all ofCandida albicans, is a contributory factor in the occurrence of SIDS.

Candida albicans was shown to produce alcohol from glucose at a rate of maximally 1 mg of alcohol per gram of intestinal content per hour. It is concluded that the intestinal production of alcohol in vivo from cases showing aCandida albicans dominated intestinal flora will not be able to surpass the normal alcohol metabolizing capacity of the liver. Thus, measurable concentrations of alcohol in the blood from such cases cannot be expected.

Zusammenfassung

In einigen Fällen vom Syndrom des plötzlichen Säuglingstodes (SIDS) wurde befunden, daß die Darmflora vonCandida albicans dominiert war. Mikrobiologische Untersuchungen der verschiedenen Organe zeigten gelegentlich Vorkommen von verschiedenen Candida-Arten, aber nicht in der Form von massivem Wachstum wie bei Sepsis. Es besteht kein Grund zur Annahme, daß die Wirksamkeit von Hefen, in erster Linie vonCandida albicans, ein mitwirkender Faktor beim Vorkommen von SIDS ist.

Es wurde festgestellt, daßCandida albicans Alkohol aus Glukose in einer Geschwindigkeit von höchstens 1 mg Alkohol pro Gramm Darminhalt je Stunde produziert. Daraus wird gefolgert, daß die Darmproduktion von Alkohol in vivo in Fällen, die eine vonCandida albicans dominierte Darmflora aufweisen, die normale alkoholmetabolisierende Fähigkeit der Leber nicht übertreffen wird. Meßbare Konzentrationen von Alkohol im Blut sind daher in solchen Fällen nicht zu erwarten.[/ p]

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Geertinger, P., Bodenhoff, J., Helweg-Larsen, K. et al. Endogenous alcohol production by intestinal fermentation in sudden infant death. Z Rechtsmed 89, 167–172 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01873798

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01873798

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