D-Lactic acidosis after jejunoileal bypass: identification of organic anions by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

A 40-year-old man with jejunoileal bypass developed a syndrome of bizarre behavior, slurred speech, ataxic gait, and inappropriate affect, associated with a metabolic acidosis characterized by an increase in the anion gap. Serum L-lactate level was normal, but high-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrums of the patient's serum showed a high concentration of lactate. A diagnosis of D-lactic acidosis was confirmed by a specific enzymatic assay for D-lactate. The D-lactic acidosis was cleared using antibiotic therapy, suggesting that D-lactate is produced from fermentation of ingested carbohydrate by colonic bacteria. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is a rapid screening test for identifying organic acids in patients with unexplained acidosis. Neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with short bowel syndrome may be associated with D-lactic acidosis.