Is there any relationship between Leb antigen expression and Helicobacter pylori infection?

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the main causes of peptic ulcer. There are some blood groups acting as receptors for the pathogen. Based on this view and previous attempts, we tried to examine the relationship between Lewis blood group and H. pylori infection. Blood and saliva samples were collected from 60 patients with established peptic ulcer induced by H. pylori. Secretory status of each patient was determined by both direct agglutination and saliva tests. Seventy-two percent of the patients were secretor and expressed Lewis B antigen. This rate in control group was 61%. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups. This study did not find any correlation between Le(b) antigen expression and presence of H. pylori-induced peptic ulcer. It is now recommended that other factors like Lewis(x) and sialyl Lewis(x) should be investigated in binding, colonization and virulence of H. pylori infection in the future.