Helicobacter pylori anti-CagA antibodies: prevalence in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Several reports have shown the prevalence of anti-CagA antibodies to be associated with the development of peptic ulcer diseases, while others have indicated that there is no such association. AIM: To examine the prevalence of antibodies to CagA and other Helicobacter pylori antigens in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects in Turkey. subjects and Methods: Sixty-six symptomatic subjects, 16 to 74 years of age, were examined for H pylori by biopsy-based tests and ELISA. One hundred nineteen asymptomatic subjects, 20 to 65 years of age, were also tested serologically for the presence of H pylori. Samples from both groups that were found to be positive for H pylori by ELISA were then tested by immunoblotting. RESULTS: Fifty-four (82%) symptomatic subjects and 76 (64%) asymptomatic subjects were found to be H pylori-positive by ELISA. Samples from 30 symptomatic subjects who were found to be H pylori-positive by ELISA were analyzed by immunoblotting. Antibodies to CagA (116 kDa) antigen were detected in immunoblots of 11 of 14 (79%) with chronic gastritis, 12 of 13 (92%) with duodenal ulcer and three of three (100%) with gastric cancer. Antigens of the following molecular weights were also detected in these 30 subjects: 89 kDa (VacA) in 21 (70%), 37 kDa in 21 (70%), 35 kDa in 19 (63%), 30 kDa in 27 (90%) and 19.5 kDa in 19 (63%). Immunoblots of 40 ELISA-positive asymptomatic subjects showed that 33 (83%) had antibodies to CagA antigen, 26 (65%) to VacA antigen, 30 (75%) to a 37 kDa antigen, 30 (75%) to a 35 kDa antigen, 39 (98%) to a 30 kDa antigen and 36 (90%) to a 19.5 kDa antigen. CONCLUSIONS: Antibodies to CagA antigen were prevalent in both groups, regardless of the presence of gastroduodenal disease.     

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori and cagA antibodies in Iceland, Estonia and Sweden

The public health implications from H. pylori infection are considerable but the transmission routes are largely unknown. In this study, the prevalence, patient characteristics and risk factors for Helicobacter pylori infection were comparatively investigated in Iceland, Sweden and Estonia. Blood samples were collected from 1046 subjects aged approximately 25-50 y (447 in Reykjavik, 359 in Uppsala and 240 in Tartu) for determination of antibodies to H. pylori and its cagA protein. The prevalence of H. pylori antibodies was 69% in Tartu, 36% in Reykjavik and 11% in Uppsala (p<0.0001). There was an increase in prevalence with age in Iceland and Sweden but not in Estonia. The prevalence of antibodies to the cagA protein in subjects seroreactive to H. pylori was lower in Reykjavik (36%) than in Uppsala (69%) and Tartu (62%) (p<0.0001). H. pylori infection, as determined by seroreactivity, was positively associated with smoking and BMI. Overall, socioeconomic development during the childhood period seems to be the most important factor for the prevalence of H. pylori infection. In adults, smoking may be a contributory factor.     

Helicobacter pylori Seroprevalence in Patients with Autoimmune Hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis is characterized by a continuing hepatocyte necrosis that usually progresses to liver cirrhosis. Autoimmunity is also a feature of chronic infection by Helicobacter pylori, a gram-negative bacterium involved in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer and upper gastrointestinal bleeding, with both events frequently occurring in patients with chronic liver disease. A newly described pathogenetic mechanism for chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma in the mouse is linked to Helicobacter spp. infection. A high prevalence of H. pylori infection was demonstrated in patients with viral-related cirrhosis but never studied in cases of autoimmune hepatitis. In a case-control study, we examined 31 consecutive patients (25 women and 6 men, age range 20–66, mean age 46 ± 4.3 years) suffering from autoimmune hepatitis and 62 sex- and age-matched blood donors (50 women, 12 men, age range 20–65, mean age 46 ± 5.4 years) resident in the same area. Antibodies to H. pylori were present in 20 of 31 (64.5%) autoimmune patients compared to 33 of 62 (53.2%) controls (P = 0.3, odds ratio 1.60, 95% CI 0.60–4.28). The difference was not statistically significant either in female or male patients. In conclusion, the prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients and controls was similar in our study of patients with chronic autoimmune hepatitis.     

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori antibodies in medical students and residents in Recife,Brazil

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) still constitutes a relevant subject of investigation. GOAL: The goal of this study was to determine the seroprevalence rate of Hp antibodies in medical students and residents, and its relationship with medical practice, age, gender and parents' formal education level. STUDY: The study was carried out from March 1999 to March 2000, on a population of 1,119 medical students and residents, from which a randomized and stratified sample was drawn. Each stratum comprised students attending the basic training level, students attending the professional training level, and residents. Independent samples were calculated for each group, making a total of 405 subjects. Each participant was interviewed using a questionnaire. After the interview, serum samples were collected and stored at -20 degrees C for detecting IgG antibodies against Hp by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: A 31.4% seroprevalence rate of Hp antibodies was observed, which significantly increased during the graduation course according to the medical practices, ranging from 23.4% in students up to 38.6% in residents. Seroprevalence rate increased according to the age (p = 0.002), where older individuals had spent more time in practical activities. Seroprevalence was higher in males and was smaller among those whose parents had a university degree. CONCLUSION: The seroprevalence rate of Hp antibodies amongst medical students and residents increases from the basic up to residence level, suggesting that contact with patients during clinical practice may constitute a risk factor for acquiring Hp infection.     

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infections in Thailand

Serologic studies in developed countries indicate that Helicobacter (formerly Campylobacter) pylori infection is uncommon until the third decade of life and achieves a peak prevalence of 50% in the seventh decade. In developing countries the epidemiology of H. pylori has not well been described. A sensitive and specific serologic assay for H. pylori infection was validated in Thai patients also studied by culture and histologic examination of biopsy specimens. The prevalence of H. pylori antibodies in persons from a rural Thai community began early (17.5% of children 5-9 years old), increased to 55% during the third decade of life, and peaked (75%) in the 30- to 49-year age group. At a Bangkok orphanage where enteric infections are hyperendemic, 74% of children 1-4 years old were seropositive. This study shows that the prevalence of H. pylori infection in Thailand is higher than in industrialized countries. The high infection rate at the orphanage suggests that person-to-person transmission of H. pylori may be occurring.     

Helicobacter pylori Seroprevalence in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Recent studies have suggested that chronic infections such as Helicobacter pylori may be a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of thIS study was to investigate the seroprevalence of H. pylori in patients with CAD. We enrolled 151 patients with CAD (93 men and 58 women, aged 48.1 ± 17.3 years [mean ± SD]) and 149 control subjects matched by age and sex (90 men and 59 women, aged 51.4 ± 13.9 years). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay immunoglobulin (Ig) G test for H. pylori diagnosis was performed on all enrolled subjects (CAD patients and controls). Ninety-one of 151 patients with CAD (60.2%) and 86 of the 149 subjects in the control group (57.7%) were H. pylori positive (P > 0.05). H. pylori infection rates were similar in patients with CAD and control groups. The main conclusion of this study is that H. pylori infection is not a risk factor for developing CAD. Further studies should be undertaken to confirm our results.     

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in South Sweden and Iceland

Background: Seroepidemiologic studies on the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection have been reported from several European countries but not from Sweden or Iceland. Methods: Serum samples were collected from 443 persons in Sweden and 387 persons in Iceland. All the 830 sera were tested with the same enzyme immunoassay test with an acid glycine extract of H. pylori surface proteins as antigen. Results: The antibody levels were low in the young age groups in both Sweden and Iceland, with increasing levels with age. Conclusions: The results are consistent with previous studies from other comparable countries, but with important differences. The prevalence was lower in Sweden than in other, previously studied, Western European countries, but, on the other hand, the prevalence was slightly higher in Iceland.     

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in patients with colorectal polyps and colorectal carcinoma

OBJECTIVES: The role of Helicobacter pylori in the pathogenesis of colorectal polyps and colorectal carcinoma is unknown. H. pylori infection causes fasting and meal stimulated hypergastrinemia. Gastrin increases colorectal mucosal proliferation and promotes tumor growth. We performed a prospective study to determine the seroprevalence of H. pylori in patients with colorectal polyps and colorectal carcinoma and in controls. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 189 patients with colorectal carcinoma, 57 patients with colorectal polyps, and 179 controls. H. pylori serology was determined by an ELISA assay. RESULTS: Logistic regression showed no difference in seroprevalence of H. pylori between patients with colorectal cancer and controls (odds ratio, 1.1; 95% confidence interval, 0.7 to 1.8) or between patients with colorectal polyps and controls (odds ratio 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.7 to 2.5). Age and sex were not found to be associated with H. pylori infection. Patients in social classes IV and V were 2.3 times more likely to have H. pylori infection than those in social classes I, II, and III (95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 4.2). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that there is no increase in the seroprevalence of H. pylori in patients with colorectal polyps or colorectal carcinoma compared with controls. These results do not support the hypothesis that there is a relationship between H. pylori infection and the development of colorectal neoplasia.     

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in school-aged Chinese in Taipei City and relationship between ABO blood groups

AIM: To explore the seropositive rate of antibodies against H. pylori (anti-HP) in Taipei City and to compare the relationship of ABO blood groups and H. pylori infection. METHODS: In 1993, high school students in Shih-Lin District were randomly selected for blood samplings by their registration number at school. In addition, similar procedures were performed on the well-children clinics of Taipei Veterans General Hospital. Besides, randomly selected sera from the adults who took the physical examination were recruited for evaluation. Informed consents were obtained from all the subjects before blood samplings and parents were simultaneously informed for those who were younger than 18-year-old. Blood tests for anti-HP and ABO blood groupings were performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Chi square tests were used for the comparisons between seroprevalence of H. pylori and ABO blood groups. RESULTS: Totally, 685 subjects were recruited (260 children aged 1-14 years, 425 high school students aged 15-18 years) were evaluated, and another 88 adult healthy volunteers were studied as well for comparison. The age-specific seropositive rate of anti-HP was 1.3 % at age 1-5 years, 7.7 % at age 6-10 years, and 11.5 % at age 11-14 years. The seroprevalence of H. pylori infection was abruptly increased in young adolescence: 18.6 % at age 15 years, 28.1 % at age 16 years, 32.4 % at age 17 years and 41.0 % at age 18 years, respectively. In the 425 high school students, ABO blood groupings were performed, which disclosed 48.5 % (206/425) of blood group O, 24 % (102/425) of blood group A, 21.8 % (93/425) of blood group B and 5.6 % (24/425) of blood group AB. In comparison of the subjects with blood group O and the other blood groups, no statistical significance could be identified in the seroprevalence of H. pylori (P=0.99). CONCLUSION: The seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in Taipei City in adults is similar to the developed countries, and the abrupt increase of H. pylori during high school may be resulted from marked increase of interpersonal social activities. Although blood group O was reported to be related to H. pylori infection in previous literature, we found no association between H. pylori infection and ABO blood groups.     

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in children with constitutional height retardation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between Helicobacter pylori and constitutional height retardation in childhood. METHODS: Forty-one children with a diagnosis of constitutional height retardation and 40 children with normal growth patterns attending to the Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic at Ankara Education and Research Hospital were invited to take part in this study. Each child was asked questions to identify whether they had abdominal pain or lack of appetite. In addition, the family members were also investigated for gastrointestinal complaints. Helicobacter pylori antibody levels were evaluated in both groups. RESULTS: The patient group's anti-Helicobacter pylori Ig G and anti-Helicobacter pylori CagA Ig G positivities were 78% and 85.4%, respectively. Corresponding frequencies in the control group were 10% and 15%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori antibodies in the constitutional height-retarded group was significantly higher than in the control group (p<0.001). These results support the hypothesis suggesting that Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the environmental factors affecting growth.     

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Korean Health Personnel

Background/Aims

The aims of this study were to evaluate whether doctors and nurses in a single hospital were at an increased risk of acquiring Helicobacter pylori infection in 2011 and to identify risk factors for H. pylori seroprevalence.

Methods

Nurses (n=362), doctors (n=110), health personnel without patient contact (medical control, n=179), and nonhospital controls (n=359) responded to a questionnaire during a health check-up, which included questions on socioeconomic status, education level, working years, and occupation in 2011. The prevalence of H. pylori was measured by serology.

Results

The seroprevalence rate was 29.8% (nurses), 34.5% (doctors), 30.7% (medical control), and 52.9% (nonhospital control). Among younger subjects (<40 years of age), the nonhospital control had a higher seropositivity rate (48.1%) than nurses (29.2%), doctors (29.8%), and the medical control (24.8%), which was not observable in subjects ≥40 years of age. The risk factors for H. pylori seroprevalence were not different for health and nonhealth personnel. A multivariate analysis indicated that seropositivity significantly increased with age, the province of residence, and a gastroscopic finding of a peptic ulcer.

Conclusions

The medical occupation was not associated with H. pylori infection. The seroprevalence of H. pylori in one hospital in 2011 was found to be 38.7%, most likely due to the improvement in socioeconomic status and hospital hygiene policy in Korea.     

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Central-European uraemic patients and its possible association with presence of HLA-DR12 allele

OBJECTIVES: Renal disease at any stage is often accompanied by significant gastrointestinal symptoms, and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is closely related to these disorders. A debate is still ongoing on the clinical significance of coexisting uraemia and H. pylori. HLA-class II genes have been repeatedly investigated for predisposition to H. pylori infection. The aim of our work was to evaluate the infection rate among uraemic patients, and study the relationship between HLA antigens and H. pylori serologic status in the same cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of 709 uraemic patients were collected and analyzed from 2001-2006. 58.7% of patients were male, 41.3% were female, mean age was 45.1 years (SD: +/-14.65). Microlymphocytotoxicity assay was used for typing of HLA class I, PCR-SSP for typing HLA class II alleles and enzyme immunofluorescency for specific H. pylori IgG. RESULTS: Of 709 patients, 49.37% were seropositive for H. pylori. Age of H. pylori positive patients was 48.9 versus 41 years of negatives (P<0.0001). Prevalence of H. pylori decreased strongly with year of birth. Significant difference was observed in the occurrence of HLA-DR12 according to H. pylori serology. Of patients carrying DR12, 27 (73%) were H. pylori positive and 10 (27%) were negative [P=0.0037; risk ratios (RR): 2.76]. CONCLUSION: H. pylori infection rate and its decrease with year of birth was the same in the uraemic patients and in the normal population, according to specific prevalence figures. Frequency of HLA-DR12 was the same as in the general population; consequently, it might be a possible risk factor for H. pylori seropositivity, at least in a Central-European population.     

Seroprevalence of anti-Helicobacter pylori and anti-CagA antibodies among healthy children according to age, sex, ABO blood groups and Rh status in south-east of Iran.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and anticytotoxin associated antigen A (CagA) antibodies in healthy children and to investigate the relation with age, sex, ABO blood groups and Rh status. Methods: Serum samples from 386 children (187 males, 199 females), aged 1-15 years, were tested for the presence of antibody to H. pylori and its virulence factor (CagA) by use of ELISA. ABO blood grouping was also done by hemagglutination test. Results: The overall seroprevalence of H. pylori infection was 46.6%. The prevalence of anti-H. pylori antibody was significantly (p<0.05) higher in males (51.9%) compared to females (41.7%). The prevalence of anti-CagA antibody in infected children was 72.8%. Although the prevalence of anti-CagA antibody was higher in males (78.4%) compared to females (66.3%), the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.07). In age subgroups of 1-5 years, 6-10 years and 11-15 years, the prevalence of anti-H. pylori was 37.6%, 46.9% and 54.9% and in infected children, the prevalence and the mean titer of anti-CagA antibody were 63.8%, 75.94 Uarb/ml; 75%, children acquire H. pylori infection. Anti-CagA common in the children. The seroprevalences of and anti-CagA antibodies were higher in males with age. However, the mean titer of anti-CagA decreased with increasing age. ABO blood groups influence the prevalence of H. pylori infection, especially gender..     

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in female Vietnamese immigrants to Korea

AIM: To investigate the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and its relationship to nutritional factors in female Vietnamese immigrants to Korea.METHODS: A total of 390 female immigrants from Vietnam and 206 Korean male spouses participated in the study. Blood samples from 321 female immigrants and 201 Korean male spouses were analyzed for H. pylori antibodies. Data on age, sex, alcohol consumption, smoking status, dietary nutritional factors and gastrointestinal symptoms were collected using questionnaires. The daily intakes of the following nutrients were estimated: energy, protein, niacin, lipid, fiber, calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, zinc, folate, cholesterol, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C and E.RESULTS: The prevalence of H. pylori positivity was lower in the immigrants than in age-matched Korean females (55.7% vs 71.4%, respectively; P < 0.0001) and the domestic population of Vietnam. The prevalence of H. pylori positivity among married couples was 31.7% for both spouses. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of smoking, amount of alcohol consumed, or nutritional factors between the H. pylori-positive and negative groups.CONCLUSION: The prevalence of H. pylori positivity was lower among female Vietnamese immigrants than among Korean females. Nutritional factors did not differ between the H. pylori-positive and negative groups.     

Helicobacter pylori prevalence in diabetic patients and its relationship with dyspepsia and autonomic neuropathy

AIMS: We evaluated the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in Type 2 diabetic patients and its relationship with dyspeptic symptoms and complications of diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight Type 2 diabetic patients (54 females, 24 males, mean age: 51.9 +/- 10.6 yr) and 71 non-diabetic control subjects were involved in the study. Patients were questioned for dyspeptic symptoms. Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy, nephropathy and retinopathy were investigated in diabetic patients. Upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy was performed for all patients and gastric biopsies were obtained and searched for HP. RESULTS: Helicobacter pylori prevalence was significantly higher in diabetic patients than in control subjects (75.6 vs 46%, p < 0.05). No differences were found between women and men with regard to HP infection status in diabetic patients. There was no relation between HP and diabetic complications, nephropathy and retinopathy. Helicobacter pylori prevalence was significantly higher in diabetic patients with cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy than in diabetic patients without cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (90.6 vs 44.0%, p < 0.02). Forty-seven subjects with diabetes had symptoms of dyspepsia (60.3%) and the prevalence of HP was higher in these patients (p < 0.002). CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of HP infection in diabetic patients and it is correlated with dyspeptic symptoms. Diabetic subjects complicated with cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy and dyspepsia are at high risk of HP infection and should be carefully investigated and considered for eradication therapy.     

Can anti-Helicobacter pylori and anti-CagA antibodies be used to select patients with dyspepsia for gastroscopy?

BACKGROUND: agA IgG antibody in sera may indicate presence of peptic ulcer disease among dyspeptic patients and therefore may be used as a serological marker to identify high risk patients for peptic ulcer who can be subjected to endoscopy. Present study was performed to identify association of CagA IgG antibody in patients with peptic ulcer. METHODS: Consecutive patients with dyspepsia were subjected to endoscopy and sera was collected from each. Rapid urease test in antral tissue collected from each patient by endoscopic biopsy was performed. Antral tissue was also examined histologically. IgG Antibody against H. Pylori and CagA IgG antibody was tested in each patients sera. RESULTS: Out of 82 patients with dyspepsia included in the study 28 had peptic ulcer. Of whom 26 were positive for anti IgG H. Pylori antibody. More than 80% patients with peptic ulcer patients had detectable anti Cag A antibody in contrast to 33% patients with non ulcer dyspepsia (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Anti-Cag A antibody may be used as a screening test in patients with dyspepsia to select high risk patients for peptic ulcer for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.