7 months ago
Rare Condition Causes 'Drunk' Symptoms Without Alcohol
Some people have a rare condition called Auto-Brewery Syndrome (ABS) where their body makes alcohol without them drinking any.
This happens because there's too much yeast in their gut that turns food into alcohol.
The study found that these people have special bacteria in their gut that make more alcohol.
Doctors can treat this condition with medicines or by changing the gut bacteria.
This condition is very rare, but the study helps us understand it better and how to help people who have it.
Auto-Brewery Syndrome (ABS) is a rare condition where the body produces alcohol due to gut yeast overgrowth.
Symptoms include dizziness, confusion, slurred speech, and lack of coordination.
The study compared gut microbes of ABS patients with those of unaffected household partners.
Key gut microbes identified include Proteobacteria, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Treatment options include antibiotic treatment and faecal microbiota transplantation.
- Who
- Individuals with Auto-Brewery Syndrome (ABS)
- What
- A rare medical condition causing intoxication symptoms without alcohol consumption
- Where
- The study was led by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of California San Diego
- When
- The study was published in Nature Microbiology
- Why
- Due to an overgrowth of yeast in the gut fermenting carbohydrates into ethanol
Key facts
- Condition Name
- Auto-Brewery Syndrome (ABS)
- Study Journal
- Nature Microbiology
- Lead Researchers
- Elizabeth Hohmann, Bernd Schnabl
- Study Participants
- 22 ABS patients, 21 unaffected household partners
- Key Gut Microbes
- Proteobacteria, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Diagnostic Method
- Testing for high blood alcohol levels without consumption
- Treatment Method
- Antibiotic treatment, faecal microbiota transplantation
Quotes
Elizabeth Hohmann, Bernd Schnabl, and team
Researchers who led the study on Auto-Brewery Syndrome (ABS)
“Here we conducted an observational study of 22 patients with ABS and 21 unaffected household partners. Faecal samples from individuals with ABS during a flare produced more ethanol in vitro, which could be reduced by antibiotic treatment.”
NDTV
“Finally, one patient was treated with faecal microbiota transplantation, with positive correlations between gut microbiota composition and function, and symptoms. These findings can inform future clinical interventions for ABS.”
NDTV
Bernd Schnabl and colleagues
Researchers involved in the study on Auto-Brewery Syndrome (ABS)
“This raises a broader question of how prevalent gut microbial ethanol production is in the general population and how widespread the pathological implications could be.”
NDTV
“In addition, our study highlights the importance of the gut microbiome and microbial metabolites to human health.”
NDTV
