Treatment of small intestine bacterial overgrowth

M. Di Stefano, E. Miceli, A. Missanelli, G.R. Corazza

I Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pavia, IRCCS “S. Matteo” Hospital – Pavia (Italy)

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• Gastroenterology

Abstract. – Removal of the predisposing condition, appropriate nutritional support to reintegrate both caloric and vitamin requirements and suppression of the contaminating bacterial flora represent the main of goals of the treatment of small intestine bacterial overgrowth. Generally, the polymicrobic nature of contaminating flora requires the administration of wide-spectrum antibiotics, but as yet we don’t know which is the best pharmacological approach, in terms of drug, dosage and duration of therapy.
There is no conclusive information regarding the most effective therapy that should be used. This paper reviews the efficacy of the different therapeutic approaches used.