Elevated levels of anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies in Henoch-Schönlein purpura.
OBJECTIVE
Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is a systemic vasculitis characterized by IgA-containing deposits in the skin, joints, gastrointestinal mucosa and glomeruli. HSP is much rarer in adults than in children. Among a number of other pathogenic factors, Helicobacter pylori (Hp) has recently been implicated in the gastrointestinal and extra-gastrointestinal manifestations underlying HSP. We aimed at studying the occurrence of Hp infections in 11 adult HSP patients with appearance in our clinical practice in the last 5 years.


METHODS
Eleven adult HSP and 20 healthy adult patients were recruited for this study. Anti-Hp IgG and IgA antibodies were assessed in sera of HSP patients with active (n = 5) and remittent disease (n = 6) and healthy controls (n = 20) in the context of clinical symptoms, endoscopic evaluation, as well as routine and immunolaboratory observations. Concurrent Hp infection was confirmed by urease test and histology.


RESULTS
Anti-Hp antibodies were present in 10/11 of HSP patients, and 11/20 of healthy controls. However, only 4/11 HSP patients had concurrent Hp infection as confirmed by urease test and/or histology. In the healthy controls the actual Hp infection was detectable in 9/20 cases. Patients in the acute phase had significantly higher levels of anti-Hp IgG compared to healthy controls (86.0 +/- 32.0 versus 25.5 +/- 28.5 U/ml, p < 0.05). In contrast, anti-Hp IgA/IgG ratios were significantly higher in the remitting phase compared to the control group (3.1 +/- 1.8 versus 0.8 +/- 0.5 ratio, p < 0.05). Among other immunolaboratory markers, serum CRP, circulating IgA and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels were significantly increased in acute patients compared to healthy group results (45.3 +/- 22.7 versus 4.8 +/- 3.5 mg/l, p < 0,05); (58.9 +/- 18.2 versus 25.2 +/- 6.4pg/ml, p < 0,05); (5.5 +/- 1.1 versus 2.4 +/- 1.2 g/l; respectively, p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Hp infection may be associated with the development and progression of HSP. IgG antibodies to Hp may be present mostly in acute HSP, while IgA antibodies may be involved in sustaining gastrointestinal symptoms underlying the chronic phase of the disease.
Novák
János
J
Third Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology of Pádndy Kálmán County Hospital, Gyula, Hungary.
Szekanecz
Zoltán
Z
Sebesi
Judit
J
Takáts
Alajos
A
Demeter
Pál
P
Bene
László
L
Sipka
Sándor
S
Csiki
Zoltán
Z
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001706:Biopsy; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000276:immunology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein