Mayo Clinic proceedings
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Mayo Clinic proceedings · May 1998
Review Case ReportsD-lactic acidosis: pathologic consequence of saprophytism.
In this report, we describe a 50-year-old woman with a short bowel who had recurrent episodes of weakness, ataxia, slurred speech, confusion, and nausea. D-Lactic acidosis was diagnosed on the basis of a D-lactate level of 8.2 mmol/L (normal, 0 to 0.25) obtained during an episode of confusion. D-Lactic acidosis is a potentially fatal clinical condition seen in patients with a short small intestine and an intact colon. ⋯ This disorder provides insight into the role of intestinal flora in human metabolism and demonstrates the manner in which altered intestinal flora can produce disease in humans. Increased awareness of D-lactic acidosis is necessary for prompt and appropriate treatment. The pathophysiology and treatment of D-lactic acidosis are reviewed.