VLD 421: Veterinary Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnosis-II (0+1)

LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

Definition

• Lactose intolerance-the inability to break down the lactose in milk due to defeciency of enzyme lactase secreted by the intestinal cells.
• The ubiquitousness of this condition causes some to feel that it is not really a disease among adults.
• Lactose malabsorption and milk products intolerance symptoms are the most common alimentary tract disorders.
• Especially seen in young ones.

Cause

• Lactase is an intestinal enzyme that helps digest lactose, a sugar that is found in many foods, especially dairy products.
• Diarrhea, gas, and abdominal pain can occur when there is not enough lactase to digest milk products.
• Lactose intolerance was identified as the cause of bovine neonatal diarrhea
• Although lactase deficiency is the most common carbohydrate malabsorption syndrome, other enzymes needed to absorb various sugars (disaccharides) .
• The he clinical symptoms of lactose intolerance belongs: nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, cramps, flatulence, flatus, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Laboratory Diagnosis

• A lactose tolerance test-the administration of a lactose drink followed by monitoring for gastrointestinal symptoms-confirms the diagnosis.
• During this test, the blood may also be tested for glucose (sugar), which rises in the lactose-tolerant.
• Other confirming tests include stool analysis for a high acid content, which signifies intolerance.