Helicobacter Pylori, A Protective Agent For Asthma Or Not?

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative gastric bacillus, whose diagnosis is made by endoscopic biopsy. H. pylori has been associated to the inhibition of Th2 responses in asthmatic patients activating Th1 response. Asthma is inversely associated with serologic evidence of the presence of cagA+ H. pylori strains. We will explore the association between Helicobacter pylori status and asthma prevalence among a pediatric population, that may suggest a protective factor conferred by the bacteria. Review of medical records of pediatric patients (N=855) that underwent an upper endoscopy on 2009 at HESLin Ponce, Puerto Rico. Study includes patients between 1 to 21 years of age. Demographic, age, gender, history of asthma and allergies were obtained. H. pylori status was obtained from gastric biopsy results. From 831 gastric biopsy results, 52 were positive for H. pylori. 63% were(33/52) females and 37% (19/52) males. 54% (28/52) were teenagers . Twenty-nine percent (15/52) of patients have history of asthma, 17% (9/52) have history of allergies, 10% (5/52) have history of both, and 54 % (28/52) did not have history of asthma or allergies. More females are diagnosed with H. pylori infection and teen patients suffer more infections with such bacteria. There appears to be an association between infection and the absence of asthma and allergies, since 54% of our patients with H. pylori infection did not have a history of asthma or allergies. To evaluate H pylori as a protective factor for asthma and allergies, a control population with negative cultures will be required.