A Complex Conundrum: Investigating Auto-Brewery Syndrome as a Rare and Misdiagnosed Condition

Abstract

Auto brewery syndrome (ABS) is a rare medical condition in which the gastrointestinal system produces alcohol that is absorbed into the bloodstream, leading to chronic intoxication without the consumption of alcohol. A 23-year-old female was referred to our clinic with symptoms including headache, nausea, altered mental state, and loss of coordination. She had a significant medical history for psychiatric illness, endometriosis, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. She had been turned down by numerous specialists before being diagnosed with ABS once consulting with an infectious disease physician, through breathalyzer test results and IV Micafungin treatment. This case highlights the importance of considering ABS as a possible diagnosis for patients with unexplained chronic intoxication and underscores the need for further research and standardization of diagnostic tests.