Transit time, bacterial growth and electron microscope study of the small intestine in schistosomal hepatic fibrosis with portal pressure changes

ABSTRACT

Transit time and bacterial groth together with both light and electron microscopic changes of small intestine were studied in relation to different portal pressure levels in 23 patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis. Schistosomal patients were divided into two groups the first group included those without ascites or elevated portal pressure [100-150 mmH[2]O] while the second group comprised patients with ascites and a portal pressure varying between 180 and 400 mmH[2]O. All findings were within normal in the first group patients yet those of the second group showed delayed intestinal transit time [80%], small bowel bacterial overgrowth whether aerobic or anaerobic [80%], along with mild, moderate or marked light and electron mocroscopic pathological changes which seemed to depend on the extent of the rise of the portal pressure