title: Role of Helicobacter pylori infection in the incidence and clinical course of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that chronic antigenic stimulation is an etiological factor of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) with special relevance to Helicobacter pylori infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective, observational study. The diagnosis of MGUS was based on serum protein electrophoresis, serum IgM levels (<3 gr/dl), urinary M protein, a normal bone marrow biopsy, normal renal function, and a negative skeletal survey. H. pylori infection was ascertained by rapid urease testing and endoscopy with gastric biopsy for histology. Eradication of H. pylori was assessed by urea breath test and stool antigen assay 4 wk after completion of an appropriate treatment regimen.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-nine patients with MGUS were included in the study. Of these, 57 had undergone evaluation for H. pylori infection for various GI symptoms. Thirty-nine of 57 patients (68.42%) with MGUS also had evidence of H. pylori infection. In 11 of these 39 patients (28.21%), eradication of H. pylori infection with an appropriate regimen led to normalization of the serum protein electrophoresis and resolution of the gammopathy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of our study give increased credibility to the theory that in a proportion of patients the pathogenesis of MGUS involves chronic antigenic stimulation and H. pylori is implicated. The search for H. pylori infection and an attempt to eradicate the bacterium in positive cases seem to be appropriate in patients diagnosed with MGUS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of North Dakota School of Medicine, Fargo 58102, USA.
authors.forename: Azhar A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.forename: Apar Kishor
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Ganti
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Potti
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Levitt
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Hanley
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010265:Paraproteinemias / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents