Mucosal and systemic antibody levels against Helicobacter pylori do not parallel gastric inflammatory changes.
OBJECTIVE
Mucosal and systemic antibodies against Helicobacter pylori have been detected but their role in the natural history of Helicobacter pylori-related diseases is unclear. In this study, the levels of Helicobacter pylori IgG and IgA were related to the grade of gastritis.


METHODS
A series of 152 dyspeptic patients underwent gastroscopy with biopsies. Helicobacter pylori was detected in 131 (86%) patients. Samples of serum and unstimulated saliva were collected. Helicobacter pylori IgG and IgA were measured in homogenised gastric biopsies, saliva and serum by an in-house enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
Levels of gastric mucosa, salivary and serum Helicobacter pylori IgG were higher (p < or = 0.01) in Helicobacter pylori positive than negative patients. Likewise, levels of gastric mucosa and serum Helicobacter pylori IgA were higher (p < 0.01) in Helicobacter pylori positive patients. Gastric mucosa, saliva and serum Helicobacter pylori antibody levels did not differ between superficial and atrophic, active and inactive Helicobacter pylori positive gastritis.


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that gastric inflammatory changes may not necessarily be related to the antibody response against Helicobacter pylori.
Luzza
F
F
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Italy.
Maletta
M
M
Imeneo
M
M
Marcheggiano
A
A
Biancone
L
L
Pallone
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D001706:Biopsy; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005756:Gastritis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005773:Gastroscopy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G