HTLV-I infection and the low prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Japan.
HTLV-I retrovirus infection and Helicobacter pylori infection are common in Japan; however a report in this issue shows a significantly low prevalence of H. pylori in patients infected with HTLV-I. The reasons for this may be due to differences in genetic susceptibility of the infections, the gastric milieu in HTLV-I being unable to support H. pylori, or because antimicrobial therapy in HTLV-I infection has eradicated H. pylori in this susceptible population. Similarities between HIV-1, another retroviral infection, and the prevalence of H. pylori are noted.
Walker
M
M
Department of Histopathology, Imperial College School of Medicine at St Mary's, London. mm.walker@ic.ac.uk
D015897:Comorbidity; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence