Helicobacter pylori cytotoxic genotype is associated with peptic ulcer and influences serology.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

We studied 146 patients with peptic ulcer disease (n = 72), antral gastritis (n = 58), or duodenitis (n = 16) to ascertain whether the cytotoxic genotype of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is associated with peptic ulcer disease and/or antral gastritis and whether it influences the circulating levels of total anti-Hp antibodies, anti-cagA antibodies, and pepsinogens.

METHODS:

A gastric juice sample was obtained from each patient. After DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the genes urease A (ureA), cagA, and vacA of Hp.

RESULTS:

A significant association was found between peptic ulcer disease and the cytotoxic genotypes, characterized by the presence of s1 and m1 alleles of vacA and by cagA. Patients with a cagA-positive genotype showed a significant increase in anti-cagA antibodies and also had significantly increased circulating levels of pepsinogen C.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cytotoxic Hp strains are mainly involved in determining peptic ulcer disease, but not antral gastritis. The higher levels of circulating pepsinogen C found in patients infected with cytotoxic genotypes may reflect the higher degree of inflammation sustained by these strains.

• Authors: F Navaglia, D Basso, M G Piva, L Brigato, A Stefani, N Dal Bò, F Di Mario, M Rugge, M Plebani
• Journal: The American journal of gastroenterology (Am J Gastroenterol) Vol. 93 Issue 2 Pg. 227-30 (Feb 1998) ISSN: 0002-9270 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9468248 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Bacterial
• Cytotoxins
• DNA, Bacterial
• Pepsinogens
• Urease

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Antibodies, Bacterial (analysis)
• Cytotoxins (genetics, metabolism)
• DNA, Bacterial (analysis)
• Duodenitis (microbiology)
• Female
• Gastritis (microbiology)
• Genes, Bacterial
• Genotype
• Helicobacter pylori (genetics, immunology, metabolism)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pepsinogens (blood)
• Peptic Ulcer (microbiology)
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Urease (genetics)