Normally the human small intestine is sparsely colonised by bacteria in comparison to the colon. Structural or functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract can lead to bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, with colonic bacteria proliferating in the ileum and jejunum. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), as it is known, is characterized by steatorrhea and diarrhoea, togethe...

INTRODUCTION Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth syndrome (SIBO) is defined as an increased number of nonpathogenic bacteria over 10(5) organisms in 1 millilitre of small intestine content. The most common predisposing factors include, among others, gut motility disorders and chronic use of proton pump inhibitors. The results of recent studies indicate the importance of SIBO in gastrointestin...

15 INTRODUCTION Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is characterized by a variety of signs and symptoms resulting from nutrient malabsorption when food, enteral feedings, medications such as lactulose or those containing sorbitol or fiber supplements interact with the bacteria. The symptoms may appear minor and nonspecific and lead to diagnostic confusion as these same signs and sympto...

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), defined as excessive bacteria in the small intestine, remains a poorly understood disease. Initially thought to occur in only a small number of patients, it is now apparent that this disorder is more prevalent than previously thought. Patients with SIBO vary in presentation, from being only mildly symptomatic to suffering from chronic diarrhea, weig...