Detection of Helicobacter ganmani-like 16S rDNA in pediatric liver tissue.
BACKGROUND
To determine the presence of Helicobacter species in the liver biopsy specimens from children with various chronic liver diseases as data in adult literature suggests a possible role of these bacteria in their pathogenesis.


METHODS
Paraffin sections of 61 liver biopsies of pediatric patients with miscellaneous diseases and autopsy liver tissue from 10 control subjects with no evidence of preexisting liver disease were examined for the presence of Helicobacter species by a genus-specific seminested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. PCR-products of positive samples were further characterized by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and DNA-sequence analysis. Based on those results, a seminested PCR assay for H. ganmani was developed and applied to the samples.


RESULTS
On analysis, 40/61 patient samples were positive in the genus-specific Helicobacter PCR and 4/10 from the control group. The nucleotide sequences of 16S rDNA fragments were 99-100% similar to mainly Helicobacter sp. 'liver' and H. ganmani. PCR-products similar to H. canis and H. bilis were also found. The 16S rDNAs of control specimens showed similarity to Helicobacter sp. 'liver'. In the H. ganmani-specific PCR analysis 19 patients, but none of the controls, were positive.


CONCLUSIONS
Amplified Helicobacter 16S rDNAs were related to Helicobacter sp. 'liver' or H. ganmani in liver biopsy specimens of pediatric patients. The possible significance of Helicobacter species in pediatric liver diseases needs to be evaluated further in prospective studies.
Tolia
Vasundhara
V
Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Michigan, 3901 Beaubien Blvd, Detroit, MI, 48201 USA. vtolia@med.wayne.edu
Nilsson
Hans-Olof
HO
Boyer
Kimberly
K
Wuerth
Anne
A
Al-Soud
Waleed Abu
WA
Rabah
Raja
R
Wadström
Torkel
T
D000293:Adolescent; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000032:analysis*; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D016998:Helicobacter / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000032:analysis*; D013045:Species Specificity
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S