High levels of Helicobacter pylori antigens and antibodies in patients with severe acne vulgaris.

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (Hpylori) may play a role in the pathogenesis of extra-intestinal disorders including dermatological diseases. This study aimed to assess the levels of Hpylori antigen and antibody in patients with acne vulgaris (AV). This cross-sectional study compared the levels of fecal Hpylori antigen and serum Hpylori antibody in 100 patients with AV and 100 age and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Patients with AV were classified into mild, moderate, and severe according to the Global Acne Grading Scale. Levels offecal Hpylori antigen and serum Hpylori antibodies were assessed using commercially available enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay. The patients with severe AV had significantly higher levels of fecal Hpylori antigen as compared to the patients with mild AV, moderate AV, and healthy controls (P<.001). The patients with severe AV had significantly higher serum Hpylori antibody as compared to the patients with mild AV, moderate AV, and healthy controls (P=.001). The levels of fecal Hpylori antigen and serum Hpylori antibody in the patients with mild AV were not significantly different from those in the patients with moderate AV (P=.49 and P=.05, respectively). The patients with severe AV had higher levels of fecal Hpylori antigen and serum Hpylori antibody as compared to the patients with mild and moderate AV and with healthy controls. The indicators of Hpylori infection were positively correlated with the severity and duration of AV.