Teacher Loses Job Due to Auto-Brewery Syndrome
An American man was left without work due to a rare disease in which the body spontaneously synthesizes alcohol.
Mark Mongiardo from the US state of Florida suffers from autobrewery syndrome (ABS).
With APS, an intoxicating amount of ethanol is spontaneously synthesized in the intestines. Such people can be described as "drunk without wine." External signs of intoxication appear, although the person has not consumed alcohol.
Mongiardo was working as a teacher, but one day he was driving when his body started producing alcohol. He ended up getting caught driving under the influence.
The school administration did not stand on ceremony with the man. Mark tried to find another job, but he was rejected everywhere because of the characteristic smell of alcohol. Potential employers considered Mark a typical drunkard, so they did not even consider him as a candidate.
As a result, the man turned to a gastroenterologist, ABC 7 reports. The doctor, who specializes in treating APS, prescribed the patient a special treatment, including a strict low-carbohydrate diet. Gradually, the problem was resolved, and Mark stopped blushing because he could be mistaken for an alcoholic.
Auto-brewery syndrome is caused by a drug-induced disruption of the gut microbiota. In the presence of certain fungi and yeast, carbohydrates consumed by a person cause the body to synthesize alcohol.
