2, 3 The H 2 and CH 4 produced in the human body after lactulose or glucose ingestion derive entirely from intestinal bacterial fermentation. The hydrogen/methane breath test has been proposed as a sensitive and simple tool for the diagnosis of bacterial overgrowth, 1 being non-invasive and inexpensive compared to a culture of intestinal aspirates and 14C-xylose breath test, respectively. In both groups antibiotic treatment induced an improvement of intestinal symptoms: bloating (Group A 85% and Group B 83%), stool softness (44% and 50%), and abdominal pain (50% and 43%).Ĭonclusions : Small bowel bacterial overgrowth is a frequent condition in Crohn's disease which can be effectively treated by metronidazole or ciprofloxacin.
Breath test normalization occurred in 13 out of 15 patients treated by metronidazole and in all 14 patients treated by ciprofloxacin ( P = ns).
Results : Bacterial overgrowth was present in 29 patients (20%). The clinical outcome after therapy was also recorded. The glucose breath test was repeated at the end of treatment. These patients were randomized in two treatment groups: metronidazole 250 mg t.d.s. Patients positive to the lactulose breath test underwent a glucose breath test to confirm the overgrowth. Patients and methods : We performed the lactulose breath test in 145 consecutive patients affected by Crohn's disease. Metronidazole and ciprofloxacin are effective antibiotics in active Crohn's disease.Īim : To investigate the efficacy of metronidazole and ciprofloxacin in the treatment of bacterial overgrowth in patients with Crohn's disease. Background : Small bowel bacterial overgrowth is common in Crohn's disease but its treatment is not clearly defined.
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