Gut Bacteria Can Brew Alcohol: Scientists Discover Cause of Auto-Brewery Syndrome
Some people get drunk without drinking a single drop. Scientists now know why. They have discovered the specific gut bacteria responsible for this rare condition. The condition is called auto-brewery syndrome (ABS). It happens when microbes in your gut ferment food into alcohol. This alcohol then enters your bloodstream. Consequently, people feel truly intoxicated.
The Challenge of Diagnosis
Diagnosing ABS is very difficult. Many patients suffer for years without answers. They may face social, medical, and even legal problems.The gold-standard test is complex. It requires supervised blood alcohol monitoring. Therefore, doctors often miss the condition.
A New Scientific Discovery
A research team from Mass General Brigham and UC San Diego led a new study. They published their findings in Nature Microbiology on January 7.The team compared gut samples from three groups. These included ABS patients, their household partners, and healthy controls.The results were clear. Stool samples from ABS patients produced much more alcohol. For example, some samples created over 100 times the ethanol.
Identifying the Culprits
The study pinpointed specific bacterial culprits. Key species include Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. These bacteria have high activity in fermentation pathways.In addition, researchers followed one patient’s treatment. A fecal microbiota transplant provided long-term relief. The patient remained symptom-free for over 16 months.
Hope for Better Treatment
This research offers real hope. It demonstrates the potential of fecal transplants. More importantly, it identifies specific treatment targets.”By finding the responsible bacteria, we pave the way for better diagnosis and care,” said co-senior author Dr. Elizabeth Hohmann. The goal is to improve life for people with this challenging condition.
