Rapid testing of gut permeability using oral fluorescein and confocal laser endomicroscopy in Zambian adults

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 fluo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2021-10, Vol.115 (10), p.1226-1228
Main Authors: Mbuki, Reuben, Chileya, Sandra, Thompson, Alex J, Kelly, Paul, Kayamba, Violet
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0035-9203
1878-3503
DOI:10.1093/trstmh/trab083