HELICOBACTER PYLORI - IS IT IMPORTANT IN THE MULTI-ORGAN TRANSPLANT POPULATION?

Abstract

607 Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) is a known pathogen of peptic ulcer disease and chronic gastritis. In the general population roughly 40% of symptomatic population is H pylori positive. Previous reports have shown similar results in ESRD patients who have gone on to transplantation. A large portion of transplant patients have a wide array of GI complaints ranging from mild dyspepsia to severe ulcer disease. We sought to determine the prevalence and importance of H Pylori infection and other pathogens in our multi-organ transplant patient population. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients transplanted between February 1995 and January 1998 who, despite usual ulcer prophylaxis had upper GI symptoms. Patients' workup included upper endoscopy and biopsy. Results: 106 Endoscopies were performed on 82 patients (36 livers, 33 kidneys, 13 kidney/pancreas recipients). Pathologically significant disease is shown in the table below. (#) denotes% of patients by organ type.Conclusion: Helicobacter pylori does not play a significant role in GI complaints in the multi organ transplant population. Symptomatic patients have a wide spectrum of non-specific disease. Kidney-pancreas transplant recipients appear to be at a greater risk for developing these problems, although this trend was not statistically significant. This may be in part due to the increased immunosuppression used in maintaining these patients.