title: Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in patients with nasal polyps: a preliminary report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study is to determine the presence of H. pylori in nasal polyps by both immunohistochemical staining with H. pylori antibody of biopsy specimens and enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) of sera.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, controlled, clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 30 patients with nasal polyps and 20 controls with middle concha bullosa undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Blood samples of both the study and control groups were evaluated for anti-H. pylori specific immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibodies by ELISA. In addition, biopsy specimens of the removed polyps and the mucosal part of middle conchas were examined by the immunohistochemical analysis with H. pylori antibody.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the blood samples, specific IgG antibodies to H. pylori were found in 26 (86.7%) of 30 polyp patients and 17 (85%) of 20 controls. In 6 (20%) of the 30 patients, H. pylori was identified in the nasal polyp tissue, but it was not detected in the mucosal part of the middle concha specimens. No significant statistical difference was observed for H. pylori antibodies by ELISA among the patients with nasal polyps and the control group (Fisher's exact test, P = .59). However, there was a statistical difference between the polyp biopsy specimens and the control biopsy specimens by immunohistochemical staining (Fisher's exact test, P = .037).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that H. pylori was found in increased prevalence in the nasal polyps. However, further controlled epidemiologic studies would be necessary to confirm our results and clarify the potential underlying pathogenetic mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Kirikkale University, Kirikkale, Turkey.
authors.forename: Can
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Koc
authors.forename: Osman Kursat
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Arikan
authors.forename: Pnar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Atasoy
authors.forename: Altan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aksoy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000821:virology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies