[The Helicobacter pylori adhesion gene: relation with the origin of the isolates and associated disease].
BACKGROUND
The adhesion gene (hpaA) of Helicobacter pylori isolates from different Spanish regions was studied by PCR-RFLP in order to group the strains according to the origin of the strains and to relate it with ulcer or gastritis production.


METHODS
One hundred and forty three Helicobacter pylori clinical isolates were obtained from the culture of gastric biopsies (29 from Ibiza, 39 from Madrid, 36 from Almería and 39 from Avilés). After DNA extraction, a PCR was performed to amplify a 375 pb fragment of the hpaA gene which was digested with Hinfi and SauIIIa.


RESULTS
The gene was detected in all of the strains studied. After digestion with Hinfi and SauIIIa, three and four patterns called 1, 2 and 3 and A, B, C and D were obtained, respectively. Strains from Madrid and Almería showed the highest hpaA genetic variability. In the relationship with the pathology, patterns 1 and A were the most prevalent in strains obtained from patients with ulcer and with gastritis.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of hpaA gene study show the genetic variability of Helicobacter pylori and slight differences according to the origin were found.
Domingo
D
D
Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid. ddomingog@yahoo.com
Alarcón
T
T
Sanz
J C
JC
Villar
H
H
Hernández
J M
JM
Sánchez
J
J
López-Brea
M
M
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005756:Gastritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006388:Hemagglutinins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D006388:Hemagglutinins; C095977:adhesin A, Helicobacter