Achlorhydria

Achlorhydria or hypochlorhydria is decreased production of gastric acidby the stomach. Its main cause is antibodyproduction against parietal cells, the cells that normally produce the acid, and is therefore an autoimmune disorder. It also occurs after long-term proton pump inhibitortherapy, or in patients with the rare diseasemucolipidosis(type IV). It can be part of pernicious anemia, atrophic gastritis, VIPomas or of carcinoidof the stomach.

90% of all patients have detectable antibodies against the H+/K+ ATP-ase "proton pump".

The diagnosis is made if the gastric pH remains high (>4.0) despite maximum pentagastrinstimulation. High gastrinlevels are often detected.

Achlorhydria leads to bacterialovergrowth since the disinfectantqualities of the gastric acid are too weak. This can lead to infections (such as with Vibrio vulnificus). Treatment focuses on replacing vitamin B12(which is poorly absorbed in the absence of intrinsic factor) and avoiding foods that may be have a high bacterial load.

Sources

• Emedicinepage on anchlorhydriade:Achlorhydrie

it:Acloridria

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achlorhydria Wikipedia article Achlorhydria.