Antibiotic-induced D-lactic acidosis.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a case of oral antibiotic-induced D-lactic acidosis in a patient with enteric overgrowth of Lactobacillus acidophilus.

DESIGN

Single case study.

SETTING

University-affiliated community hospital.

INTERVENTION

Oral carbohydrate challenge test with 4000 kcal/d.

MAIN RESULTS

A patient had several episodes of D-lactic acidosis after receiving oral antibiotics. Stool cultures yielded Lactobacillus acidophilus resistant to the implicated agents. Provocative challenge with dietary carbohydrate alone, in the absence of antibiotics, failed to reproduce the syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral antibiotics may induce D-lactic acidosis in patients with the short-bowel syndrome by promoting the overgrowth of resistant D-lactate-producing organisms. Interactions between carbohydrate intake and antibiotic use are likely determinants in the development of this syndrome. Periodic use of stool cultures with antimicrobial susceptibility testing may assist in the management of these patients by optimizing the selection of antimicrobial agents.