Reversal of long-standing iron deficiency anaemia after eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection.
Helicobacter pylori has been proposed as a major determinant in multiple gastric disorders. We describe the case of a young adult with a long-standing medical history of sideropenic anaemia and of oral iron consumption dependence with a chronic superficial H. pylori-positive gastritis. All other causes of sideropenic anaemia were carefully excluded. Histology showed a peculiar pattern of non-active H. pylori-positive gastritis. The bacterium was a non-VacA-producing strain. The first attempt at eradication caused a reduction in bacterial load and led to a partial normalization of haematologic variables without improving the ferritin level. A successful second course of eradication therapy completely reversed the anaemia and restored the iron deposit, which persisted at the 29-month follow-up. H. pylori infection can be involved in unexplained cases of iron deficiency anaemia in adults, and its cure can normalize the haematologic picture.
Marignani
M
M
1st Dept. of Gastroenterology, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
Angeletti
S
S
Bordi
C
C
Malagnino
F
F
Mancino
C
C
Delle Fave
G
G
Annibale
B
B
D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001729:Bismuth / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005756:Gastritis / Q000382:microbiology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012459:Salicylates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D012459:Salicylates; D008795:Metronidazole; C015715:bismuth subsalicylate; D013752:Tetracycline; D017291:Clarithromycin; D009853:Omeprazole; D001729:Bismuth