Helicobacter pylori infection in dyspeptic cirrhotic patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To date, few studies have focused on the role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in cirrhotic patients with gastroduodenal disease and reported results are conflicting. The aim of this study was to assess the H. pylori infection rate in dyspeptic cirrhotic patients with or without gastroduodenal lesions at endoscopy. METHODOLOGY: In a prospective study, 226 consecutive dyspeptic cirrhotic patients were enrolled in the study upon assessment of H. pylori infection. Two-hundred dyspeptic non-cirrhotic patients were also included as controls. The presence of H. pylori was detected by rapid urease test and histology (Giemsa staining) in 3 biopsy specimens from the antrum and 3 from the gastric body. RESULTS: H. pylori infection was found in 135 (59.7%) cirrhotics and in 121 (60.5%) controls (p = NS). The prevalence of gastric ulcer was higher in cirrhotics than in controls (16% vs. 2.5%, p = 0.0001), while the prevalence of duodenal ulcer was similar (11% vs. 12%, respectively). The H. pylori infection rate was similar between cirrhotics and controls, both with gastric (83% vs. 80%) and with duodenal (88% vs. 96%) ulcers. Moreover, in our study, a H. pylori-related peptic lesion was the cause of previous gastroduodenal bleeding in 6 of 50 (12%) cirrhotic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that H. pylori infection is implicated in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer in cirrhotic patients, similar to findings in non-cirrhotic patients.     

Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence in cirrhotic patients with hepatitis B virus infection

Liver cirrhosis is a significant cause of death in Italy and one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization. The burden of cirrhotic patients on the National Health System is extremely high due to the frequent need for medical care. Acute peptic ulcer and upper gastrointestinal bleeding reportedly occur in over one-third of cirrhotic patients. Since Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection strongly correlates with peptic ulcer, we wished to ascertain the prevalence of H. pylori infection in cirrhotic patients. In a case-control study we looked for this infection in 45 consecutive male patients suffering from hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis and 310 sex and age matched blood donors resident in the same area. Antibodies against H. pylori were present in 40/45 (89%) patients and 183/310 (59%) blood donors (P<0.001). This very high prevalence of H. pylori may explain the frequent occurrence of gastroduodenal ulcer in cirrhotic patients. (See Editorial p. 203)     

慢性乙型肝炎患者幽门螺杆菌感染状况及其相关因素分析

目的探讨慢性乙型肝炎患者幽门螺杆菌（HP）感染状况。方法采用病例对照研究对502例慢性乙型肝炎患者的抗-HP-IgG和乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）DNA定量及分型进行检测。结果HP感染率在慢性乙型肝炎组（59．5％）、乙型肝炎肝硬化组（77．1％）及合并肝癌组（80．6％）均明显高于健康对照组（43．4％）,且随着病变程度的加重,HP感染率亦增加。HBVDNA阳性组的慢性乙型肝炎患者HP感染率高于HBVDNA阴性组（P〈0．05）和健康对照组（P〈0．001）,但不同病毒载量组之间比较差异无统计学意义。不同HBV基因型之间HP感染率无明显差异。肝硬化合并肝性脑病、消化性溃疡和消化道出血等并发症者HP感染率较高。结论慢性乙型肝炎患者幽门螺杆菌感染率明显增加,且随着病变程度的加重,HP感染率亦增加。乙型肝炎肝硬化患者并发症的发生可能与HP感染有关。     

Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric emptying in cirrhotic patients with symptoms of dyspepsia

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic gastric Helicobacter pylori infection is common in patients with dyspeptic symptoms. The effect of H. pylori infection on gastric emptying, in cirrhotic patients with dyspeptic symptoms, has never been studied. Therefore, we investigated the incidence of H. pylori infection and its relationship with gastric emptying in cirrhotic patients with dyspepsia. METHODOLOGY: A solid-phase gastric emptying study and 14C urea breath test were performed in 80 cirrhotic patients with dyspepsia. The severity of cirrhosis was assessed according to Child-Pugh's classification. RESULTS: The overall incidence of delayed gastric emptying was 75%. Delayed gastric emptying incidences according to severity of cirrhosis were 71.4% for Child-A, 73.1% for Child-B, and 80.8% for Child-C. The differences were not significant. The incidence of H. pylori infection was 52.5% overall. H. pylori infection rates were 46.4% for Child-A, 42.3% for Child-B, and 69.2% for Child-C. Although there was a tendency for the infection rate to increase with the severity of liver cirrhosis, the difference was not significant. In addition, there were no significant differences in the incidences of H. pylori infection among patients with normal and delayed gastric emptying. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed gastric emptying is common in cirrhotic patients with dyspepsia. However, the status of H. pylori infection does not seem to play a role in delayed gastric emptying in these patients.     

幽门螺杆菌感染对高氨血症和肝性脑病发病的影响

目的了解幽门螺杆菌(Hp)感染和血氨水平、肝性脑病(HE)发病的关系,并探讨根除Hp对血氨水平和HE发生的影响。方法2003年7月-2005年1月在浙江省5个地区收集肝硬化住院患者,记录患者的一般资料、数字连接试验结果、Hp感染情况、肝功能Child-Pugh分级、血氨水平和HE情况。Hp(+)患者予“奥美拉唑+克拉霉素+替硝唑”1周根除治疗,1个月后查~(14)C尿素呼气试验,并记录患者的神经精神症状和血氨水平。结果(1)共收集肝硬化住院患者457例,Hp感染率60．6%,HE发生率47．5%。检出亚临床肝性脑病(SHE)患者55例,SHE占未发生HE肝硬化患者的47．0%(55/117)。(2)Hp(+)和Hp(-)肝硬化患者血氨浓度分别为(78．4±63．6)μmoL/L和(53．8±51．4)μmol/L(P＜0．01);根除Hp后血氨显著下降至(53．5±37．7)μmol/L(P＜0．01)。Hp(+)和Hp(-)肝硬化患者HE发生率差异有统计学意义(58．5%比30．6%,P＜0．01);根除Hp后HE发生率下降至34．1%(P＜0．01)。(3)HE、SHE和肝硬化患者的Hp感染率分别为74．4%、69．1%和53．2%(P＜0．05)。三组患者的血氨水平分别为(94．5±75．6)μmol/L、(59．9±49．2)μmol/L和(47．3±33．5)μmol/L(P＜0．05)。结论Hp感染是引起肝硬化高氨血症和并发HE的重要因素,根除Hp有利于治疗和预防HE的发生。     

Helicobacter pylori infection, plasma ammonia levels, and psychometric testing in cirrhotic patients

OBJECTIVE: The role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection as a cause of hepatic encephalopathy is still debated. This study focused on the relationship between H. pylori, plasma ammonia levels, and intellectual function in cirrhotic patients. METHODS: Forty-seven cirrhotics with latent or mild hepatic encephalopathy were enrolled in the study, upon H. pylori assessment at endoscopy. Plasma ammonia level determinations and psychometric testing were performed at entry in all patients. Patients with H. pylori infection received a 2-wk standard dual therapy and bacterial eradication was assessed at endoscopy 6-8 wk later. On this occasion, plasma ammonia levels and psychometric assessments were repeated. Patients without H. pylori infection at entry were also studied after 6-8 wk for ammonia level assessment and psychometric testing, as a control group. Patients receiving lactulose therapy and those without therapy were grouped separately for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Among 21 patients without lactulose therapy (group A), basal plasma ammonia levels and psychometric testing scores did not significantly differ between 13 infected and eight uninfected patients. Similarly, among 26 patients undergoing lactulose therapy (group B), basal plasma ammonia concentration and psychometric testing scores did not significantly differ between 13 infected and 13 uninfected patients. Moreover, in group B, both the prevalence of previous overt hepatic encephalopathy episodes and the mean daily dose of lactulose therapy were similar between infected and uninfected patients. In addition, no significant reduction in the plasma ammonia concentrations and in psychometric testing scores emerged in both groups A and B after bacterial eradication. CONCLUSIONS: This study failed to find a relationship between H. pylori, plasma ammonia levels, and psychometric testing scores in cirrhotic patients with latent or mild hepatic encephalopathy.     

慢性乙型病毒性肝炎的幽门螺杆菌感染

目的由于慢性乙型肝炎（乙型肝炎）时幽门螺杆菌（Ｈｐ）感染的报道罕见，因而本研究旨在探讨乙型肝炎患者的Ｈｐ感染状态．方法乙型肝炎患者４４例，采用酶联免疫吸附试验检测血清乙型肝炎病毒（ＨＢＶ）标志物，并采用聚合酶链反应测定ＨＢＶＤＮＡ来确定ＨＢＶ感染．同时通过血清学、尿素酶试验、组织学染色和细菌培养，进行Ｈｐ检查．结果乙型肝炎患者的消化性溃疡发生率为１３６％（６／４４）；Ｈｐ感染率为６１４％（２７／４４）．ＨＢｅＡｇ和（或）ＨＢＶＤＮＡ阳性者Ｈｐ感染率为６３０％（１７／２７），高于ＨＢｅＡｇ和ＨＢＶＤＮＡ皆阴性者的３５３％（６／１７）．此外，以组织学染色确定Ｈｐ感染的阳性率最高．结论乙型肝炎患者Ｈｐ感染率高，可能是引起乙型肝炎患者消化性溃疡发生的重要原因     

慢性乙型肝炎患者幽门螺杆菌感染的调查分析

目的探讨慢性乙型肝炎患者幽门螺杆菌(H.pylori)的感染情况及其临床意义。方法将167例慢性乙型肝炎患者分为肝炎组、肝硬化组、肝癌组,研究H.pylori感染状况与76例健康对照者的关系,并进一步分析H.pylori感染与肝功能、临床并发症的关系。结果慢性乙型肝炎患者H.pylori感染率为64.1%,明显高于健康对照组34.2%(P<0.01)。其中肝硬化组71.8%和肝癌组75.0%又高于肝炎组51.5%(P<0.05)。H.pylori阳性患者肝性脑病、上消化道出血及ALT水平高于H.pylori阴性患者(P<0.05),H.pylori阳性和H.pylori阴性患者的腹水并发症及TBIL差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论慢性乙型肝炎患者H.pylori感染率显著增加,且H.pylori感染可能加重肝病病程。     

幽门螺杆菌感染与肝硬化患者胃粘膜病变

目的　探讨 Ｈｐ 感染在肝硬化胃粘膜病变中的意义。方法　接受内镜检查的肝硬化患者 ５０ 例,非肝硬化患者 ２７ 例;采用快速尿素酶试验、 Ｗ ａｒｔｈｉｎｓｔａｒｒｙ 银染色、血清学方法诊断 Ｈｐ 感染。结果　肝硬化患者胃粘膜 Ｈｐ 感染率、血清抗 Ｈｐ 基因重组抗原 Ｉｇ Ｇ、 Ｈｐ 菌体抗原 Ｉｇ Ｇ 及 Ｉｇ Ａ 阳性率分别为３０％ 、７８％ 、８７．２％ 、２９．４％ ,与非肝硬化患者比较差异无显著性。肝硬化患者合并与不合并胃粘膜病变者 Ｈｐ 感染率也无明显差异（ Ｐ ＞ ０．０５）。结论　肝硬化患者 Ｈｐ 感染率与普通人群相似, Ｈｐ 感染不是肝硬化患者胃粘膜病变主要致病因素。     

Helicobacter pylori infection in elderly patients

PURPOSES: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a chronic gastric Gram-negative infection that increases with age. Acquired in childhood, H. pylori infection may induce a whole cascade of events leading to gastric pathologies such as peptic ulcer diseases, gastric precancerous lesions, and gastric lymphomas (MALT). The characteristics of the diagnosis and the treatment of this infection in geriatrics are thus particularly important to take into account. MAIN POINTS: 1) The incidence of gastric and duodenal ulcers and their bleeding complications is increasing in old-aged populations. Clinical signs such as anorexia and malnutrition are proven to be excellent indications for endoscopic explorations in the elderly. NSAID-use and H. pylori infection were shown to be independent and unrelated risk factors for peptic ulcer and gastroduodenal bleeding in elderly subjects; 2) H. pylori infection diagnosis is difficult to realize in the very old population, and the urea breath test is the test which obtain the best performances in this population. PERSPECTIVES: Recent work showed the part played by H. pylori chronic infection in gastric aging and in appetite regulation in the elderly. Research tasks should be continued in this field in order to better understand the part played by this chronic infection in gastric aging and in other pathologies (i.e. neurological or cardiovascular diseases) in this population.     

Helicobacter pylori infection in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Studies on the relationship between high serum urea nitrogen, creatinine and Helicobacter pylori infection in hemodialysis patients still give conflicting results. In the present study we investigated the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori positivity in patients with hemodialysis [HD(+)] and without hemodialysis [HD(-)] and assessed the relationship between clinical factors, serum urea nitrogen, creatinine levels and Helicobacter pylori prevalence in these patients. METHODOLOGY: 117 patients with dyspeptic complaints were included in the study. They consisted of 36 HD(+) patients (31%) and 81 HD(-) patients (69%). Endoscopy was performed and gastric antral biopsies were obtained for immunohistochemical analysis for Helicobacter pylori in all patients. RESULTS: Helicobacter pylori was positive in 53(45%) of 117 patients [Hp(+)]. In univariate analysis Hp(+) patients received hemodialysis therapy significantly less often (P = 0.002) and had lower serum urea nitrogen (P = 0.0008) and creatinine (P = 0.003) levels than Hp(-) patients. There was no significant difference in age, gender, endoscopic findings or comorbid conditions (hypertension or diabetes mellitus) between these groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that only the serum urea nitrogen level was significantly associated with Helicobacter pylori prevalence (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that high serum urea nitrogen seems to correlate with a low prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and hemodialysis patients with high serum urea nitrogen may be protected against Helicobacter pylori infection.     

Helicobacter pylori infection in pediatric patients

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative, spiral organism that colonizes the gastric mucosa and causes primary antral gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. Recent studies indicate that H. pylori infection acquired in childhood may cause gastric cancer in later life. H. pylori is present in both asymptomatic and symptomatic children as determined by various epidemiologic studies. The natural history of H. pylori infection is still an enigma. Its association with varied symptoms in children is considered controversial because it is frequently associated with nonulcerative gastritis in this age group. This article focuses on some of the newer developments addressing the epidemiology, transmission, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and treatment of H. pylori infection in the pediatric population.     

Role of Helicobacter pylori infection in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

Though a century old hypothesis, infection as a cause for atherosclerosis is still a debatable issue. Epidemiological and clinical studies had shown a possible association but inhomogeneity in the study population and study methods along with potential confounders have yielded conflicting results. Infection triggers a chronic inflammatory state which along with other mechanisms such as dyslipidemia, hyper-homocysteinemia, hypercoagulability, impaired glucose metabolism and endothelial dysfunction, contribute in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Studies have shown a positive relations between Cytotoxic associated gene-A positive strains of Helicobacter pylori and vascular diseases such as coronary artery disease and stroke. Infection mediated genetic modulation is a new emerging theory in this regard. Further large scale studies on infection and atherosclerosis focusing on multiple pathogenetic mechanisms may help in refining our knowledge in this aspect.     

Role of Helicobacter pylori infection in pernicious anaemia.

Background. Pernicious anaemia is associated with atrophic body gastritis and considered an autoimmune disease. Whether Helicobacter pylori is involved in the induction of pernicious anaemia is uncertain.

Aims. To investigate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in pernicious anaemia patients and to ascertain whether the Helicobacter pylori positive patients had distinctive clinical and gastric morphofunctional characteristics.

Patients and Methods. A series of 81 consecutive pernicious anaemia patients underwent serological, functional and endoscopic/histological investigations.

Results. A total of 49 (60.5%) patients were Helicobacter pylori-positive (males 61.2% vs females 38.8%). No difference was observed in clinical and morphofunctional characteristics between Helicobacter pylori-positive and negative patients, whereas distinctive functional/histological features between histologically Helicobacter pylori-positive (n=8) and serologically Helicobacter pylori-positive (n=41) cases were detected. In the histologically Helicobacter pylori-positive group, Pepsinogen I was higher [13 [0–58] vs 5 [0–26] ng/ml; P=0.0025]) and positivity for anti-parietal cell antibodies was lower [42.9% vs 76.9, P=0.0867). Antral histological variables of the gastritis score were significantly higher in the histologically Helicobacter pylori-positive than in the serologically Helicobacter pylori-positive patients, but this latter group had a higher score of body atrophy (2.63± 0.12 vs 1.71 ± 0.29; P=0.0051). Body inflammation was also significantly higher in the histologically Helicobacter pylori-positive group (chronic inflammation: 1.43±0.2 vs 1.05±0.06; P=0.0271; inflammation acitivity:: 0.57±0.3 vs 0.15±0.06, P=0.0220). Antral mucosa was normal in 24/41 (58.5%) of the serologically Helicobacter pylori-positive patients, but only in 1/8 (12.5%) of the histologically Helicobacter pylori-positive patients (p=0.232).

Conclusions. Almost two thirds of pernicious anaemia patients have evidence of Helicobacter pylori, but only those with an active Helicobacter pylori infection have distinctive functional and histological features. These findings support the hypothesis that Helicobacter pylori infection could play a triggering role in a subgroup of pernicious anaemia patients.