Impact of CagA status on serum gastrin and pepsinogen I and II concentrations in Japanese children with Helicobacter pylori infection

The study aimed to determine the association between cytotoxin-associated gene product (CagA), serum gastrin and pepsinogen levels in Japanese children infected with Helicobacter pylori. Three hundred children were enrolled in the study. H. pylori infection was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and CagA status was assessed using immunoblotting. Serum gastrin and pepsinogen concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. H. pylori seroprevalence was 12.3% (37/300) and CagA status was identified in 28/37 H. pylori-seropositive children (75.7%). Serum pepsinogen I and II levels were significantly higher in CagA-seropositive than CagA-seronegative children with H. pylori infection. There was no significant relationship between CagA seropositivity and serum gastrin levels. In conclusion, CagA status has a significant impact on serum pepsinogen levels, possibly through enhanced gastric mucosal inflammation.