INTESTINAL PERMEABILITY TO [CR-51] EDTA IN INFECTIOUS DIARRHEA

Orally administered [Cr-51]EDTA was used to measure intestinal permeab ility in subjects with infectious diarrhea and in those without gastro intestinal complaints. [Cr-51]EDTA was given to 87 subjects: 63 contro ls (32 normal controls, and 31 disease controls), and 24 patients with infectious diarrhea. Approximately 100 muCi of [Cr-51]EDTA was given orally after an overnight fast. Urine was collected for the following 24 hr. Intestinal permeability to [Cr-51]EDTA in both normal volunteer s and in patients with a variety of diseases not associated with intes tinal injury was low and results were in a relatively narrow range. Me an 24-hr urinary excretion of [Cr-51]EDTA, calculated as a percent of the administered dose, in controls was 1.6% (0.2-3.5%). Patients with infectious diarrhea associated with invasive pathogens and/or intestin al inflammation had increased excretion of [Cr-51]EDTA (mean 6.1%, P < 0.0001), with elevated excretions in 75%. These results demonstrate t hat intestinal infections must be considered as possible causes for in creased intestinal permeability as assessed by the [Cr-51]EDTA test.