Immunity markers in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection: effect of eradication.
BACKGROUND
Helicobacter pylori is a microorganism able to stimulate a robust inflammatory and systemic immune response.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to evaluate autoimmune markers in dyspeptic patients positive for H. pylori infection compared to a control group of non-H. pylori-infected subjects. The kinetics of cryoglobulins and autoantibodies was evaluated after treatment of the infection.


METHODS
Dyspeptic patients with active H. pylori infection and age- and sex-matched healthy H. pylori-negative controls were studied. Markers of immunity were compared, in H. pylori-infected patients before, 6 months and 1 year after the end of therapy. Results were also compared between those with and without successful eradication therapy.


RESULTS
Eighty-six individual were entered (43 H. pylori-infected). H. pylori-infected patients had higher levels of IgG and/or IgA and/or IgM (22/43 versus 2/43). Circulating immune complexes and cryoglobulins were detected in patients more often than controls (p < .05 for both). Autoantibodies were observed in 13 patients (30% versus 5% in controls) and antithyroid antibodies in 12 (p < .04 versus controls). Lower levels of C3 and/or C4 complement fractions were observed in infected patients with respect to controls (7/43 versus 1/43; p = .014). After 1 year of follow-up, the markers of autoimmunity dramatically improved in patients eradicated for H. pylori infection compared to those in whom therapy failed. No patient developed a clinical autoimmune disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
Additional studies are necessary to ascertain the clinical significance of the modifications of autoimmune markers in patients with H. pylori infection.
Dore
Maria Pina
MP
Istituto di Clinica Medica, Università di Sassari, Italy. mpdore@uniss.it
Fastame
Laura
L
Tocco
Andreina
A
Negrini
Riccardo
R
Delitala
Giuseppe
G
Realdi
Giuseppe
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000097:blood; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D015551:Autoimmunity; D015415:Biomarkers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003450:Cryoglobulins / Q000378:metabolism; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001323:Autoantibodies; D015415:Biomarkers; D003450:Cryoglobulins; D007136:Immunoglobulins