Helicobacter pylori CagA seropositivity does not influence inflammatory parameters, lipid concentrations and haemostatic factors in healthy individuals.
BACKGROUND
H. pylori CagA seropositivity has been recently associated with ischaemic heart disease.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether H. pylori virulence has any effect on certain circulating coagulation factors and on markers of systemic inflammation in healthy individuals.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Haematology and gastroenterology unit at a university teaching hospital.


METHODS
A total of 494 consecutive asymptomatic blood donors attending a blood bank.


METHODS
Blood analysis for haemostatic factors, lipids concentrations, inflammatory parameters as well as determination of anti H. pylori IgG and CagA reactivity by ELISA assayes.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 53%; 56% of H. pylori positive sera expressed CagA reactivity. CagA seropositive subjects did not differ significantly from CagA negative or H. pylori negative subjects in values for lipids, haemostatic factors, or inflammatory parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
CagA seropositivity is not associated with increased systemic inflammation or with raised concentrations of haemostatic factors - predictors of ischaemic heart disease - in healthy individuals.
Parente
F
F
Department of Gastroenterology, Haematology Unit, Section of Medical Statistics and Biometry, L. Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Imbesi
V
V
Cucino
C
C
MacOni
G
G
Russo
U
U
Duca
P G
PG
Bianchi Porro
G
G
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008055:Lipids; C080866:cagA protein, Helicobacter pylori