Clinical Research Directory

Measurement of Intestinal Permeability in Intensive Care Patients With Single or Multiple Organ Failure

Multivisceral failure syndrome (MVFS) in humans is associated with a very high risk of mortality, ranging between 30 and 50%. This syndrome is associated with significant systemic inflammation and a high risk of bacteremia, the origin of which is not always identified. Among the possible causes of bacteremia, digestive translocation is the most probable but has not been formally proven to date. This translocation is made possible by the numerous cellular and metabolic alterations secondary to MVFS, which can lead to increased intestinal barrier permeability. Intestinal permeability is currently not systematically evaluated in clinical practice in humans. This increased intestinal permeability, associated with the presence of inflammatory markers and a septic state, has been studied in several animal models ranging from the fruit fly (Drosophila) to the mouse. These studies have shown a high risk of mortality associated with increased intestinal permeability. We propose to use this methodology in intensive care patients with at least one organ failure to investigate the link between increased intestinal permeability and survival chances.