Malnutrition in the Developing and Developed World: Is Small Intestinal Bacterial Colonization Important?

Abstract

Malnutrition is a major problem on a global basis and will continue if current world population trends persist. Small intestinal bacterial colonization may contribute to malnutrition in populations whose dietary intake is marginal, such as those in developing countries and many elderly in the developed world. This review focuses on the evidence for small intestinal bacterial colonization in these subjects and briefly revises current thinking on the pathogenesis and diagnosis of this condition.

Key Words:

• Developing countries
• elderly
• malnutrition
• small intestinal bacterial colonization