Rapid testing of gut permeability using oral fluorescein and confocal laser endomicroscopy in Zambian adults. (12th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mbuki, Reuben; Chileya, Sandra; Thompson, Alex J; Kelly, Paul; Kayamba, Violet
• Is Part Of: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Volume 115:Number 10(2021)
• Page Start: 1226
• Page End: 1228
• Publication Date: 2021-06-12
• Subjects: diarrhoea -- dual sugar -- fluorescence -- gut permeability -- sodium fluorescein; Tropical medicine -- Periodicals; 616.9883
• DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trab083
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0035-9203

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Dual sugar testing for gut permeability is time-consuming and complex. We explored the utility of fluorescein as a simple and inexpensive alternative method. Methods: We used a confocal laser endomicroscopy probe placed at the fingertip of participants who had ingested sodium fluorescein to measure the fluorescence at various time points. Results: In 10 patients with diarrhoea, but not in 10 controls, fluorescence was detected quickly. By 6 min fluorescence was detected in all diarrhoea patients but only 1 control (p=0.0004). After 15 min there was no difference between the groups. Conclusions: This simple oral fluorescein test may be useful to study gut permeability in low-resource settings.