Bile reflux gastritis. Analysis of fasting and postprandial gastric aspirates.

Gastric aspirates from 11 patients with bile reflux gastritis were studied for pH, bacterial cultures, proteolytic acitivity and bile salt pattern. Hypochlorhydria, significant bacterial overgrowth and unconjugated bile salts were found in all gastric specimens tested. The presence of unconjugated bile salts may account for the severity of the gastritis seen in these patients.