State of local and total humoral immunity in duodenal ulcer with Campylobacter pylori infection

A total of 83 patients with duodenal ulcer and a varying degree of gastric mucosa contamination with C. pylori were examined. Secretory IgA was less frequently detectable in the gastric juice of patients with higher level of gastric mucosa contamination with C. pylori and in lower concentrations than in the patients with a lesser C. pylori contamination. Healing of duodenal ulcer defects was associated with a decrease of gastric mucosa contamination and elevation of secretory IgA content in the gastric juice. The role of serum immunoglobulins in the gastric juice is less significant: IgG and IgA are rarely detected. Salivary content of secretory IgA depended on the gastric mucosa contamination and ulcer stage. Secretory IgA level increased by the ulcer remission, and C. pylori contamination decreased. Normal blood serum IgA, IgG, and IgM ratios were shifted in the patients with C. pylori contamination, particularly so in those with a higher level of contamination. These findings suggest a contribution of local and total immune reactions related to C. pylori to the pathogenesis of duodenal ulcer.