methanogenic bacteria and diverticulosis.pdf

Gut, 1986, 27, 698-704 Incidence of methanogenic bacteria in a sigmoidoscopy population: an association of methanogenic bacteria and diverticulosis G A WEAVER, J A KRAUSE, T L MILLER, AND M J WOLIN From the Department of Medicine, The Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital (affiliated with Columbia University), Cooperstown, New York, and Wadsworth Centerfor Laboratories and Research, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA. SUMMARY This study determined the incidence and concentration of methane-producing bacteria in tap water enema samples of 130 individuals taken before sigmoidoscopy. The number of subjects classified in five major colonic groups were as follows: normal colon 36, diverticulosis 57, inflammatory bowel disease 11, colon polyps 34, and colon cancer 11. Some patients were placed in more than one category. Ninety four of the subjects or 72% had methanogenic bacteria ranging in concentration from 6 to about 3 x 1010/g dry weight of faeces. The predominant methanogen in all groups was Methanobrevibacter smithii. Chi-square analysis showed that the incidence of methanogens in concentrations of 107/g dry weight of faeces or greater in patients with diverticulosis (58%) was significantly greater than in normal patients (25%). High methanogen concentrations are associated with excretion of methane in the breath. Studies by Bond et all showed that methane in man is produced by bacteria in the colon and indicated that most methane production occurs in the left colon. Methane is not metabolised further in man. It was estimated that 20% of that produced is excreted through the lungs and that the remainder is passed as flatus. Miller and Wolin2 3 showed that the predominant methane producing organism in humans is Methanobrevibacter smithii. It produces methane by using hydrogen to reduce carbon dioxide. This organism remains at about the same concentration in the faeces of individuals studied over a period of 10-13 months.4 Thirty to 61% of adults excre