Incidence of Yeast-like Fungi in Gastric Juice under Normal and Pathologic Conditions

Abstract

The incidence of yeast-like fungi in the gastric juice was studied in catheter and direct samples from patients with and without gastric diseases. Yeasts were present in 57 per cent of persons without gastric disorder. The incidence was roughly the same (55 per cent) in patients with duodenal ulcer. A statistically proven higher frequency was noted in patients with gastric ulcer or carcinoma and in those who had undergone partial gastric resection (79, 82, and 75 per cent respectively). In contrast to retention due to stenosis, retention deriving from impaired passage through the small intestine was accompanied by a higher incidence of yeasts. A high hydrochloric acid production was associated with a significantly lower frequency of yeasts. Microscopic examination of the gastric juice gave positive results fairly often even when the growth of yeasts was not heavy and when there were no roentgen signs of intraluminal mycosis. Consequently, the demonstration of yeast growth on culture and positive microscopic findings do not suffice for a diagnosis of intraluminal mycosis, but should be combined with positive roentgen findings and preferably supplemented by gastrophotography.

Key-words:

• Fungi
• gastric acidity determination
• gastric juice
• stomach