Abstract
Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common causes of peptic ulcer disease worldwide and a major cause of chronic superficial gastritis leading to atrophy of gastric glands. A total of 60 patients suffering from gastric disease due to H. pylori infection were evaluated. Endoscopy was performed and gastric biopsies were obtained for histopathology and urease test. Blood was simultaneously collected for the determination of the levels of vitamin B12 and the MCV. Vitamin B12 levels were determined by chemiluminescent assay. Our results indicate that the mean vitamin B12 level +/- SEM for the total population, the H.pylori infected and non-infected patients were 264.5+/-22.9, 207.7+/-21.9 and 419.7+/-39.8 respectively. H. pylori was found in 71.7% (43/60) of the patients tested. The level of vitamin B12 was lower than 200pg/ml (deficient) in 67.4% (29/43) of patients tested positive for H. pylori. H. pylori appears to be implicated in causing vitamin B12 deficiency.
Highlights
Helicobacter pylori is a fastidious gram negative microorganism with a spiral/helical shape and 5 to 7 sheathed uni-polar flagella
Our results indicated that age, gender and smoking are not significant in causing infections with H. pylori
Pernicious anemia is a type of megalobastic anemia due to Vitamin B12 deficiency
Summary
Helicobacter pylori is a fastidious gram negative microorganism with a spiral/helical shape and 5 to 7 sheathed uni-polar flagella. H. pylori causes chronic gastritis [4] and peptic ulcer disease [5] and it has been classified as a type I (definite) carcinogen since 1994. This organism has been implicated in increasing the risk of developing gastric cancer, which is the second most frequent cause of cancer-related death [3,6]. Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common causes of peptic ulcer disease worldwide and a major cause of chronic superficial gastritis leading to atrophy of gastric glands. The level of vitamin B12 was lower than 200pg/ml (deficient) in 67.4% (29/43) of patients tested positive for H. pylori. Conclusion: H. pylori appears to be implicated in causing vitamin B12 deficiency
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