BACTERIAL TRANSLOCATION AND GUT MICROFLORA IN OBSTRUCTIVE-JAUNDICE

Bacterial translocation from the gut is implicated in the pathophysiol ogy of complications associated with obstructive jaundice. Absence of intraluminal bile salts and their antiendotoxic effects may result in overgrowth of bacteria, promoting bacterial translocation. The large b owel is the largest source of gram negative bacteria but the small bow el is more permeable. This study investigated the effect of obstructiv e jaundice on bacterial translocation and on the indigenous luminal mi croflora at 3 sites in the gastrointestinal tract. Significant bacteri al translocation was demonstrated following 7 d of bile duct ligation compared with control or sham operated groups. A qualitative disturban ce of the caecal indigenous microflora was demonstrated in jaundiced r ats. There was no 'site-to-site' variation in the indigenous microflor a at the 3 intestinal sites studied. We conclude that experimental obs tructive jaundice for 1 wk promotes bacterial translocation without si gnificant quantitative disturbance of the intestinal microflora in the small intestinal or caecum.