A Belgian man with a condition that causes his body to produce alcohol naturally has been cleared of drink-driving.
Auto-brewery syndrome (ABS) is an extremely rare condition where the body produces alcohol due to high levels of ethanol in the blood.
The man’s lawyer, Anse Ghesquiere, said the condition had only been officially diagnosed in 20 people worldwide. Three doctors who examined the man confirmed he had ABS, Ms Ghesquiere said.
Lisa Florin, a clinical biologist at Belgium’s AZ Sint-Lucas hospital, said people with ABS produced the same type of alcohol as in alcoholic drinks, but that they generally felt less of its effects.
Also Read
- Glaciers melting at unprecedented rates in Indian Himalayan region: ISRO
- Indians can now apply for Schengen visa with longer validity
However, patients with ABS can sometimes experience the same symptoms as drunkenness, including slurred speech, stumbling, loss of motor function, and dizziness.
ABS can cause people to fail breath tests and can have legal consequences for those affected.
The rare condition, also known as intestinal fermentation syndrome, was first documented in Japan in the 1970s. It is caused by an unusually high concentration of yeast in the stomach.
Scientists have not yet determined how yeast is able to establish colonies in human intestines. However, it is believed that the concentration of yeast could appear after infection.
In 2015, DUI charges against a woman in New York State were dismissed after she was found to have ABS.
