Impact of Serum Interleukin 6 among Helicobacter Pylori-Positive Adult Patients in Relation to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy findings

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections in humans and has a major etiologic role for several gastroduodenal diseases. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine and H. Pylori may stimulate its production. Aim: To assess the serum level of IL-6 in H. pylori-infected patients and to study its relation to gastric endoscopy findings. Subjects and Patients and Methods: Eighty-four participants were enrolled; 42 patients with positive H. pylori (patient group “B”), and 42 age and gender-matched subjects with negative H. pylori (control group “A”). Out of 42 patients in group B, 21 patients were subjected to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy due to persistent gastric upset. The serum concentration of IL-6 was measured in all subjects by ELISA. Results: serum IL-6 was significantly higher in patients’ group compared to control group (4.3 ± 0.7 vs 1.5 ± 0.3 pg/ml, p <0.05). The prevalence of IL-6 in infected patients with H. Pylori was 92%, with the highest levels in those with gastric ulcers. Conclusion: H. Pylori infection is associated with high serum levels of IL-6 especially in those with gastric ulcers. Keywords: Helicobacter pylori; interleukin 6