Pylori-specific IgG Research Articles

Helicobacter pylori exposure among the Awajún of the Peruvian Amazon: Prevalence and environmental, social, and biological associations.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-a gastric bacteria affecting almost 50% of the global population and leading to ulcers and cancer in severe cases-is a growing health concern among Indigenous populations who report a high burden of reported poor general health and gastrointestinal distress. We test hypothesized associations between H. pylori exposure patterns and environmental, social, and biological conditions among a sample of 212 Indigenous Awajún adults (112 males, 100 females, ages 18-65 years) living in the northern Peruvian Amazon. Dried blood spots were analyzed for H. pylori-specific IgG using a recently developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Resulting seropositivity rates and antibody concentrations, proxying past exposures to H. pylori were analyzed in relation to relevant environmental (toilet type, floor material, reported water quality), social (household size and education level), and biological (age, sex, BMI, blood pressure, immune and metabolic biomarkers) factors using multivariable regression analyses. We found near ubiquitous seropositivity for H. pylori exposure in our sample (99.1% seropositive). In the regression analyses, elevations in H. pylori antibody concentrations were significantly higher among males compared to females (β = 0.36, p = 0.01). No associations were found with any other factors. Anthropological research in the study communities suggests that the male bias in elevations of H. pylori antibody concentrations is related to cultural and biological factors. Future research is needed to further unravel these biocultural dynamics and determine whether elevations in H. pylori antibody concentrations have clinical relevance for gastrointestinal health outcomes in this population.

Two novel lactic acid bacteria, Limosilactobacillus fermentum MN-LF23 and Lactobacillus gasseri MN-LG80, inhibited Helicobacter pylori infection in C57BL/6 mice.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most prevalent pathogens globally, and long-term infection causes various gastrointestinal diseases such as gastritis and even cancer. In the present study, we screened dozens of lactic acid bacteria for the efficacy to inhibit H. pylori growth in vitro, and tested the therapeutic effects of candidate strains in vivo. The results showed that Limosilactobacillus fermentum MN-LF23 (LF23) and Lactobacillus gasseri MN-LG80 (LG80) significantly reduced the abundance of Helicobacter by 90% and 83% in the infected mice, respectively, and decreased the levels of serum urease and H. pylori-specific IgG. Both bacterial strains tended to ameliorate H. pylori infection-induced gastric mucosa damage and lymphocyte infiltration, and reduced levels of serum inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. In addition, their culture supernatants also showed a therapeutic effect, as efficient as the bacterial cells. Furthermore, both strains significantly regulated gastric microbiota profile, and their supernatants restored the diversity of gastric microbiota. LF23 increased the abundance of Lactobacillus murinus and reduced the abundance of Desulfovibrio, whereas LG80 increased the abundance of Lactobacillus reuteri and reduced the abundance of Bilophila. Both LF23 and LG80 enriched beneficial commensals such as Faecalibaculum rodentium, and reduced detrimental bacteria such as H. pylori and Lachnoclostridium. In conclusion, we identified two novel lactic acid bacteria L. fermentum MN-LF23 and L. gasseri MN-LG80 that can remarkably inhibit H. pylori infection.

Relationship of Helicobacter Pylori Specific IgG Antibodies with Serum Magenisum and Serum Lipid Profile in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis

Background: Helicobacter pylori are thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of activegastritis and other upper mucosal lesions in chronic hemodialysis patient which thoughtto result in dyspeptic symptoms. Aim:The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patient on maintenance hemodialysis and to assess the probable association of serum lipid profile and serum magnesium with H. pylori infection in these patients. Material &Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with end stage renal disease who were undergoing maintenance hemodialysis treatment.were enrolled in the present studya total number of 42 hemodialysis patients (24 male and 18 female), of the total number; 10 were diabetic and 32 were non diabetic. Demographic data including age, gender, duration of hemodialysis and clinical data including diabetes mellitus, upper gastrointestinal symptoms and laboratory measurements were obtained from related questionnaires. Venous blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis of the following markers: serum magnesium, total cholesterol, triglyceride; high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Result & Conclusion: We conclude that there was no significant correlation between gender, age, duration of hemodialysis, DM, serum triglyceride, VLDL-C and magnesium and H. pylori infection in these patients.

The effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on the decline of lung function in a health screening population.

Although Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has long been associated with many extragastric diseases, its long-term effects on declining lung function and the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains controversial. We conducted a retrospective study in a health screening population (Gene-Environment of Interaction and Phenotype Cohort at Seoul National University Gangnam Health Center in Korea) recruited from 2004 to 2015. The annual decline rates of lung function and the risk for COPD were compared to the seropositivity for H. pylori. We also assessed the impact of the H. pylori eradication treatment on lung function. Among 3,619 subjects, 1,849 subjects (51.1%) tested positive for H. pylori-specific IgG. In the first year, 95 (2.6%) patients were diagnosed with COPD. however, there was no difference in seropositivity for H. pylori in patients with COPD compared to non-COPD subjects (P=0.756). There was no significant difference in the incidence of COPD between the seronegative (2.2%) and the seropositive group (2.0%; P=0.728) even during the follow-up period. The decline rates of the mean FVC and FEV1 were not different between the seronegative and seropositive group (35.38 vs. 34.34 mL/year for FVC, P=0.389; 39.23 vs. 37.49 mL/year for FEV1, P=0.086). The eradication treatment for H. pylori did not affect the decline rates of mean FVC and FEV1. Infection or eradication treatment of H. pylori was not associated with the decline of lung function or COPD progression in this general population health screening. As a result, H. pylori may not be a significant contributor to deteriorating lung function.

Prevalence of asymptomatic Helicobacter pylori infection in Kerala, India

Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria found in many untreated water sources in developing countries. They colonize the luminal surface of gastric epithelium in about 50% of population. Though most infections are asymptomatic, they are the major microorganism causing duodenogastric ulcers, carcinoma of the gastric region and gastric mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. The serologic study to detect prevalence of Helicobacter pylori was done on healthy blood donors. The cross sectional study was done in a medical college hospital in the state of Kerala; India. The sample was collected from the donated blood. The serum was subjected to serological studies to detect Helicobacter pylori specific IgM and IgG antibodies. The results were noteworthy. A seroprevalence of 29.29% to Helicobacter pylori antibodies was detected in the study group. This is less than similar seroprevalence studies done in different parts of the world. Keywords: Helicobacter pylori, Seroprevalence, Blood donors, Asymptomatic.

Immunopathological and Modulatory Effects of Cag A+ Genotype on Gastric Mucosa, Inflammatory Response, Pepsinogens, and Gastrin-17 Secretion in Iraqi Patients infected with H. pylori.

OBJECTIVE:To determine the immunopathological correlation between Cag A+ H. pylori-specific IgG; pepsinogen I&II (PI&PII); gastrin-17 (G-17); status of gastric and duodenal mucosa and inflammatory activities on different gastroduodenal disorders.METHODOLOGY:Eighty gastroduodenal biopsies were taken from patients with gastroduodenal disorders for histopathological evaluation and H. pylori diagnosis. Serum samples were used for evaluation of gastric hormones and detection of H. pylori-specific IgG antibodies. The tissue expression of H. pylori Cag A gene was detected by in situ hybridisation.RESULTS:H. pylori IgG antibodies were detected in (88.8%) of enrolled patients. According to Cag A gene expression, Significant difference (P value ˂ 0.05) was detected in levels of PG I; PGII, PG I/PG II among patients with gastric disorders. Serum G-17 level was negatively correlated with Cag A gene expression (P-value = 0.04). There was a significant correlation between H. pylori IgG and PG I; PG II; G-17. The current study revealed that corpus atrophic gastritis was diagnosed histologically with (5%) gastric ulcer cases; (3.75%) of duodenal ulcer cases; (3.75%) of duodenitis cases; (1.25%) of gastropathy cases and (8.75%) of gastritis cases. At the same time H. pylori gastritis diagnosed concurrently with (8.75%) of gastric ulcer cases; (11.25%) of duodenal ulcer cases; (17.5%) of gastropathy cases; (3.75%) of duodenitis cases and (2.5%) of prepyloric ulcer cases. A significant correlation was reported between the Immunopathological status of gastric mucosa and endoscopic mucosal finding among duodenal ulcer cases and gastritis cases only. A positive correlation was reported between serum levels of PGI; PGII; PGI/PGII; G-17; PMNs grade and Immunopathological status of the gastroduodenal mucosa of H. pylori Infected patients. A significant difference was reported in lymphocyte grades among gastric disorders without correlation with immunohistopathological changes in the mucosa (P-value = 0.002). A significant difference was reported in lymphocyte grades among different disorders according to H. pylori IgG. A significant difference was reported in serum level of PG I; PG II; PG I/PG II; G-17 according to PMN and lymphocyte grades (P-value ˂ 0.01). PMNs grades positively correlated with gastric Cag A expression; H. pylori IgG; PG II; G-17 levels. PG I; PG I/ PG II correlated with lymphocyte grades (P-value ˂ 0.05); while PGII has a negative correlation (P-value = 0.039).CONCLUSION:Endoscopic mucosal finding does not reflect exactly the actual immunopathological changes of gastric mucosa during H. pylori infection. Secretion of gastrin was not affected by the presence of Cag A in gastric tissue. Instead, the fluctuation in the hormone level appears to be due to the presence of H. pylori infection in gastric tissue. Gastric tissue infiltration with PMNs & lymphocytes inflammatory infiltrates has a direct effect on PGs and gastrin levels in serum of infected patients. The level of PG I; PG II; G-17 secretion correlated with the development of immune response against H. pylori and production of specific H. pylori IgG. Finally, H. pylori can modulate gastric secretions through Cag A dependent and independent pathways.

Association of Helicobacter pylori specific IgG antibody with serum magnesium levels in peritoneal dialysis patients

Introduction: Few studies have reported the relationship between serum magnesium and Helicobacter pylori infection in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and patients receiving dialysis. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to test, the relationship between serum magnesium (Mg) level and H. pylori infection in CKD patients receiving peritoneal dialysis. Patients and methods: Around 40 patients were evaluated through the study. Serum magnesium levels and H. pylori specific IgG antibody levels were assessed. Results: The mean serum magnesium level was 3.00 ± 0.36 mg/dL. No significant difference was seen in serum Mg level between positive and negative groups of H. pylori. No correlations were reported between H. pylori IgG titers with age, serum Mg, Ca, P, parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D, albumin, urea, creatinine (Cr) and plasma hemoglobin (P>0.05). Conclusion: In this study no correlation between serum magnesium levels and H. pylori specific IgG antibody was detected. We believe that this is the first study evaluating the relationship between serum magnesium level and H. pylori infection in peritoneal dialysis patients. More and larger clinical investigations are required to consider the conflicting results of studies regarding the association of serum magnesium and H. pylori in patients undergoing dialysis.

Association of Helicobacter pylori infection with metabolic parameters and dietary habits among medical undergraduate students in southeastern of Iran.

Background:To date, there is still inconclusive evidence on the extra-gastric manifestations of Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection. This study aimed to determine whether there is an association between H.pylori infection with metabolic syndrome and dietary habits among medical undergraduate students in south-eastern of Iran, Zahedan.Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study was done among 363 undergraduate students in Zahedan University of Medical Sciences during spring 2014. All subjects completed a questionnaire including demographic factors and dietary habits. Serum H. pylori-specific IgG antibodies, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels were measured after an overnight fast.Results:The seroprevalence of H. pylori infection was 45.7%. H. pylori-positive subjects had lower mean levels of TC and TG and higher levels of HDL-C compared to H. pylori-negative subjects. In addition, lower levels of LDL-C (P = 0.044) and FBS (P = 0.05) were observed among subjects with positive H pylori infection. Only rare consumption of raw vegetables (odds ratio [OR] =3.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.37–5.24) as well as higher levels of FBS (OR = 1.031, 95% CI = 1.001–1.99) were significantly associated with higher odds of H. pylori infection in both the univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis.Conclusion:In a small population of young students in southeastern of Iran, H. pylori infection was associated with low consumption of raw vegetables and higher serum blood glucose.

Association between <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> Infection and Iron Deficiency Anemia among School-Age Children in Sohag University Hospital, Upper Egypt

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been suggested as a cause of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) refractory to iron therapy. Objective: The aim of this work was to evaluate the association between H. pylori infection and IDA among school-age children. Subjects and Methods: This was a prospective case-control study conducted for one year starting from March 2015 and included 200 school-age children with IDA and 50 age and sex matched non-anemic controls, attending pediatric outpatient clinic at Sohag university Hospital, Sohag, Upper Egypt. All of participants were subjected to clinical evaluation and the following investigations: CBC, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, serum ferritin and a quantitative detection of H. pylori IgG antibodies. Results: Totally, 72 (36%) children with IDA and 6 (12%) non-anemic controls had positive level for H. pylori specific IgG (P = 0.036). H. pylori IgG antibody titer showed significant positive correlation with age and significant negative correlation with each of Hb level, MCV, HCT and serum ferritin. Age was higher (p H. pylori positive IDA cases in comparison to H. pylori negative IDA cases. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate significant association between positive serology for H. pylori infection and IDA in school-age children. Moreover, infection may increase the severity of anemia.

Improvement of Helicobacter pylori eradication efficacy at stomach and duodenum peptic ulcers

Aim of investigation. To estimate efficacy of the modified sequential therapy regimen of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication (with addition of bismuth tripotassium dicitrate) at treatment of peptic ulcer of the stomach (PUS) and duodenum (PUD) of severe and complicated course in the Russian population. Material and methods. Original study included overall 105 patients with PUS and PUD with severe and complicated course of disease. The main group received modified sequential therapy regimen, the comparison group - standard triple mode. All patients underwent quantitative serological test for H. pylori-specific IgG antibodies, stool test for H. pylori antigen, fibrogastroscopy with stomach mucosa (SM) biopsy and rapid urease test, microscopic examination of SM biopsy specimens, polymerase chain reaction for H. pylori DNA in SM biopsy specimens. Results. Efficacy of H. pylori eradication at modified sequential therapy was 95,8%, at standard, also combined with bismuthate tripotassium dicitrate, - 86,4%. After successful H. pylori eradication decrease of inflammatory activity of the stomach mucosa at less prominent decrease of mononuclear infiltration was noted, however the tendency for reduction of these features was more significant in patients at modified sequential regimen. Conclusions. Growth of H. pylori antibiotic resistance requires accumulation of the Russian data on efficacy of sequential therapy to increase eradication rate and prevent growth of macrolide resistance. Sequential therapy was proposed as a way to overcome resistance to clarithromycin. Sequential eradication therapy with inclusion of bismuth tripotassium dicitrate has shown advantage over standard triple therapy at severe and complicated forms of gastroduodenal peptic ulcers. Results of original study allow to recommend sequential eradication therapy in Russia. Key words: peptic ulcer, Helicobacter pylori, eradication, modified sequential therapy, bismuth tripotassium dicitrate.

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with a reduced risk of developing eosinophilic oesophagitis.

Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) represents a chronic immune-antigen-mediated allergic disease of the oesophagus of still unknown aetiology. Environmental exposure has been postulated to play a pathogenetic role. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been inversely associated with allergic diseases including atopic dermatitis, asthma and allergic rhinitis and H. pylori may play a protective role in these conditions. Little is known about the relationship between EoE and H. pylori. To investigate in a case-control study whether H. pylori infection is associated with a reduced risk of developing EoE. H. pylori infection was evaluated by serology in 58 [11(19%) female, 47 (81%) male, median age: 36.5 years, range 20-72 years] patients with a clinical and histologically proven diagnosis of EoE and 116 age and sex-matched controls (1 case: 2 controls). Antibodies against H. pylori were identified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients with H. pylori-specific IgG ≥ 30 enzyme immunounits were classified as H. pylori-positive. 3/58 (5.2%) patients with EoE had serological evidence of H. pylori infection (EoE - H. pylori current infection) and 5/58 (8.6%) reported prior eradication therapy for H. pylori infection (EoE - H. pylori former infection). The control group demonstrated significantly higher seroprevalence of H. pylori (37.9%, P < 0.0001) when compared to patients with EoE. EoE was inversely associated with H. pylori infection [odds ratio (OR) 0.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.11-0.50]. Helicobacter pylori infection is inversely associated with EoE. Our results may contribute to further understanding the pathogenesis and evolving aetiology of EoE.

Serological Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Patients With a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in 4% - 6% of women in the reproductive age and is a common cause of infertility. Even though the number of investigations is scarce, studies show that Helicobacter pylori infection may influence reproduction. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the levels of H. pylori specific antibodies IgA, IgG and anti-CagA at both PCOS and non-PCOS women with their spouses using the serological test. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 127 women with their spouses (age range, 30 - 60 years) were selected. These patient were referred to infertility center of Shariati Hospital in Tehran, Iran, with a diagnostic criteria of PCOS based on Androgen Excess Society (AES). The specific antibodies of IgA, IgG and anti-CagA were measured using the commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit. Results: The positive titers of H. pylori antibodies IgA, IgG and anti-CagA in the PCOS group were 45 (35%), 79 (62%) and 77 (60.5%), respectively, while in non-PCOS group were 38 (30%), 76 (60%) and 50 (39.5%), respectively. The sera positive for IgA, IgG and anti-CagA antibodies in spouses of the non-PCOS group were 38 (30%), 84 (66%) and 79 (62%) respectively, but in spouses of the PCOS group were 51 (40%), 83 (66%) and 48 (38%), respectively. The results showed that H. pylori infection probably did not affect infertility or reproduction. Conclusions: Findings of this study demonstrate no significant difference between levels of H. pylori specific antibodies of IgA, IgG, anti-CagA and the presence of PCOS disorders, and also indicate that serologic testing is a sensitive method for the detection of H. pylori antibodies. The high prevalence of H. pylori positive antibody levels in both PCOS and non-PCOS patients can be probably associated with the high frequency of H. pylori infection.

Serological Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Patients With a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in 4% - 6% of women in the reproductive age and is a common cause of infertility. Even though the number of investigations is scarce, studies show that Helicobacter pylori infection may influence reproduction. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the levels of H. pylori specific antibodies IgA, IgG and anti-CagA at both PCOS and non-PCOS women with their spouses using the serological test. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 127 women with their spouses (age range, 30 - 60 years) were selected. These patient were referred to infertility center of Shariati Hospital in Tehran, Iran, with a diagnostic criteria of PCOS based on Androgen Excess Society (AES). The specific antibodies of IgA, IgG and anti-CagA were measured using the commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit. Results: The positive titers of H. pylori antibodies IgA, IgG and anti-CagA in the PCOS group were 45 (35%), 79 (62%) and 77 (60.5%), respectively, while in non-PCOS group were 38 (30%), 76 (60%) and 50 (39.5%), respectively. The sera positive for IgA, IgG and anti-CagA antibodies in spouses of the non-PCOS group were 38 (30%), 84 (66%) and 79 (62%) respectively, but in spouses of the PCOS group were 51 (40%), 83 (66%) and 48 (38%), respectively. The results showed that H. pylori infection probably did not affect infertility or reproduction. Conclusions: Findings of this study demonstrate no significant difference between levels of H. pylori specific antibodies of IgA, IgG, anti-CagA and the presence of PCOS disorders, and also indicate that serologic testing is a sensitive method for the detection of H. pylori antibodies. The high prevalence of H. pylori positive antibody levels in both PCOS and non-PCOS patients can be probably associated with the high frequency of H. pylori infection.

The Study of Association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Background: In past years, many studies have been carried out to understand the complex relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Few researches have been successful in showing the epidemiologic and serologic evidence for relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in patients with COPD and to determine whether there is an association between H. pylori infection and COPD. Method: 40 voluntary patients with COPD and 40 healthy control subjects of similar age and sex were taken as subjects in the study. After the consent form was signed by both the study and control groups, every person was questioned in detail and the relevant data were collected from the case history of the COPD patients. H. pylori-specific IgG was measured with a commercially available Elisa kit from venous blood samples of the study and control groups. Results: H. pylori IgG seropositivity was 57.5% in the patients with COPD and 37.5% in the control subject, which suggests that H. pylori infection has a higher prevalence in COPD patients than non-COPD patients. Further in our study the mean values of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) were compared between H. pylori seropositive and seronegative COPD patients and non-COPD patients and the p value was not less than 0.05 in any of the comparisons. Finally to see if H. pylori infection has any impact in COPD, the patients with COPD were grouped according to their stages of diseases and compared with H. pylori IgG seropositivity, the prevalence of H. pylori seropositivity did not differ significantly relatively to the stages of COPD i.e. between patients with mild, moderate and severe COPD. Conclusion: The results from our study suggest that there is higher prevalence of H. pylori seropositivity in COPD patients than in non-COPD patients, but we were not able to show and prove if H. pylori infection is related to COPD since our study was carried out in a very small scale and short period of time. To understand the complex relationship between H. pylori infection and COPD, we need much more time and finance, firstly so that we can carry out our study in a larger scale involving much more individuals in our study and control groups and secondly to be able to use more sophisticated and modern technologies to get better and quicker results.

Sero-prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among asymptomatic healthy Omani blood donors

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, a cross-sectional epidemiological study, based on the age and gender-specific seroprevalence of H. pylori antibodies in asymptomatic healthy Omani blood donors attending the SQUH blood bank. MethodsAnalysis of the sera from 133 apparently healthy subjects, based on the serological determination of the IgM, IgG and IgA antibodies against H. pylori, was carried out using a commercially available kit ELISA (NovaLisa, NovaTec, Germany). While the presence of H. pylori-specific IgG antibodies is the marker for a “chronic” infection with this pathogen. Therefore, there was no indicator of the time of acquisition of the infection. However, the H. pylori-specific IgM antibody was a more specific marker for a recently acquired infection with H. pylori. ResultsOf the 133 subjects, there were 100 (74%) males and 33 (26%) females. The age range was 15 to 50 years with a mean of 25.75±3.75 years. The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection in our study was 69.5%. The overall seroprevalence was found to be increased 69%-86% with age. Subjects between 15–20 years of age showed 71% seroprevalence, while those between 21–40 years showed gradual increase (63%-70%) with age and reached up to 87% in subjects between 41–50 years of age. A significant inverse association was found between sex and age groups. This is when each age group was examined individually; a higher positive percentage of H. pylori antibodies increasing with age was seen in males between 21–40 years of age group in comparison to the females of the same age group. Male subjects with age group between 21 to 40 years were found to have a significant seropositivity compared to the female subjects within the same group. This may reflect how frequent were the male subjects being exposed to the outer environment and their conduct than the females in this society like Oman. ConclusionsThe seropositivity of H. pylori is moderately higher between ages of 21 to 30 more than any other age group.

Impact of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism on the risk of gastric cancer and its interaction with Helicobacter pylori infection.

Attempts for early detection of gastric cancer have recently focused on host's genetic susceptibility factors and gene-environment interactions. We have, herein, studied the association of MTHFR C677T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and its interaction with Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking, age and gender on the risk of gastric cancer among an Iranian population. Gastric cancer patients (n = 450) and cancer-free controls (n = 780) were studied for serum H. pylori-specific IgG antibodies by ELISA and MTHFR C677T polymorphism (SNP) by PCR-RFLP. Demographic and life style data were collected through patient interviews. Unconditional logistic regression model estimated odds ratio (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). The interactions of MTHFR genotype with H. pylori infection (P = 0.03), age (P = 0.049) and gender (P = 0.007) were statistically significant. Accordingly, MTHFR C677T carriers who were also positive for H. pylori infection exhibited 80% (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.0-2.9) significant excess risk of non-cardia gastric cancer. Furthermore, subjects over the age of 50 or female subjects carrying MTHFR C677T SNP showed 40 (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0-2.0) and 100 (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.2-3.2) percent increased risk of gastric cancer, respectively. MTHFR C677T SNP seems to increase the risk of gastric cancer and the effect is significantly inflated by interactions with H. pylori infection, age and gender.

Anti-helicobacter pylori activities of shoya powder and essential oils of thymus vulgaris and eucalyptus globulus.

Background:Helicobacter pylori, an infective agent of more than 50% of the world population is prominent to be the main causative factor in the etiologies of chronic, active or type B gastritis, peptic and duodenal ulcer, gastric carcinoma, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tumors. A high prevalence of this bacterium in dental plaque is always reported. Pharmacological treatment of H. pylori infections includes administration of 3-fold therapeutic regimens which are typically used to suppress H. pylori activity. However, antibiotic resistance frequently develops as a consequence of such treatment. Thus, searching for alternative therapies for H. pylori infections is of special interest.Materials and Methods:In this study, anti H. pylori activities of a traditional antimicrobial drug so-called Shoya and also essential oils of Thymus vulgaris and Eucalyptus globulus were investigated using antimicrobial analysis and serological screening methods.Results:The agar dilution method results revealed the Shoya with the highest inhibitory effect against H. pylori. Also serological screening on tested mice showed a significant effect of this drug in lowering the sera amount of anti H. pylori specific IgA and IgG titers. Both of the essential oils showed different degrees of antibacterial effect against H. pylori.Conclusion:The obtained results showed the antibacterial effect of Shoya powder and Essential oils from Thymus vulgaris and Eucalyptus globulus and purposes new therapeutical alternatives to control the H. pylori infection. Additional studies and clinical trials are necessary to approve the use of these data in health care and pharmacopeia systems.

Performance of individualHelicobacter pyloriantigens in the immunoblot-based detection ofH.pyloriinfection

To develop a specific line blot (LB) for supporting ELISA-based serodiagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection, individual native/recombinant H. pylori antigens were evaluated with respect to their reactivity with both serum IgG and IgA from 156 dyspeptic screening patients (67% H. pylori positive). Of 13 antigens, HP0175, p17, and p19 revealed highest positive likelihood ratios for H. pylori-specific IgG (> 5.0) and were selected as LB substrates, in addition to the established virulence markers VacA and CagA. For validation, the LB was compared to a commercial whole-cell-lysate-based ELISA by parallel (re-)analysis of 156 screening sera, 22 sera from diabetes mellitus patients and 15 sera from follow-up patients after H. pylori eradication. In screening patients, the combined use of IgG ELISA and LB revealed a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 94%, 81%, and 90%, respectively, whereas IgG ELISA alone exhibited a low specificity of 75%. In diabetic and follow-up patients, IgA ELISA exhibited high accuracy of 89% and 93%, respectively, whereas IgG detection was unreliable (accuracy < 80%). In conclusion, using HP0175, p17, p19, CagA, and VacA as LB substrates significantly improves the specificity of anti-H. pylori IgG analysis, providing a reliable tool for (1) confirmation/refutation of ELISA-based screening results and (2) assessment of the CagA/VacA status.

Discovery of Helicobacter pylori in gallbladder

Helicobacter pylori, a gramnegative and microaerophilic organism, is transmitted from person-to-person through the feco-oral route and colonizes the stomach. The organism persists in the healthy host in equilibrium, which is disturbed at times, leading to formation of peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. Presence of H. pylori in the biliary tree of a small proportion of individuals has led to the conjecture that it is a potential cause of gallbladder disease. The exact pathway of how the organism reaches the gallbladder is unclear. It could reach the gallbladder directly from the stomach or through the portal blood circulation. In contrast to the stomach, colonization of the gallbladder is unlikely due to the alkaline pH of bile, H. pylori being known to thrive at the low pH of gastric juice. Thereare several tests to confirm presence ofH. pyloriin the stomach. These include rapid urease test, and demonstration of the bacterium on histology and culture of gastric biopsy, and positive urea breath ( 13 Co r 14 C) test. Molecular tests identify the genes of H. pylori in the tissue. Immunological evidence of H. pyloriinfection is provided by presence ofH. pylori-specific IgG and IgM antibodies in the blood. Similar tests can be used to demonstrate H. pylori in gallbladder and bile. Demonstration of H. pylori in gallbladder has been attempted directly by culture of gallbladder, bile or gallbladder mucosal scrappings or demonstration of the bacillus on histology of gallbladder. Demonstration of Helicobacter in

CagA Helicobacter pylori Seropositivity in Asymptomatic, Apparently Healthy, Young Adult Egyptian Food Handlers

Background/Aim: Infection with CagA Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) positive strain is a risk factor for the development ofatrophic gastritis and gastric adenocarcinoma. This studyinvestigated the seroprevalence of H. pylori and its virulentstrains CagA in Egyptian food handlers.Subjects and methods: A total of 365 eligible male subjectsparticipated in the initial study. Venous blood samples werecollected from all participants for assessment of H. pylori specificIgG and serum CagA antibodies.Results: Out of 365 subjects, 310 were reactive to H. pylori.Out of them, CagA was detected in 143 H. pylori-infectedsubjects. CagA antibodies were more common in cigarettesmokers (< 0.001), living in high crowding index (< 0.001), withlow family income (< 0.01) and sharing their bedrooms duringchildhood (< 0.001).Conclusion: Our data revealed a high prevalence of CagAvirulent strains among asymptomatic apparent food handlersof Egypt. Emergency surveillance mechanisms should bedeveloped for containment of H. pylori infection in Egypt.Abbreviations: H. pylori: Helicobacter pylori; CagA: Cytotoxinassociated gene A.