title: Alpha-defensin expression in the gastric tissue of children with Helicobacter pylori-associated chronic gastritis: an immunohistochemical study.
abstract: In this study, we evaluated the expression of alpha-defensin and its correlation with histological criteria in children with and without Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis. Forty-five children were included. Immunohistochemical staining was performed and the relationship between alpha-defensin immunoscoring and H. pylori status and histological criteria was evaluated. Expression of alpha-defensin was significantly higher in the H. pylori-positive group (P < 0.001) and it was significantly associated with higher grades of chronic inflammation and neutrophil density (P < 0.001 for both). Our data show that alpha-defensin expression is increased in H. pylori infection in childhood and is associated with inflammatory tissue damage.
authors: Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey. obekem@yahoo.com
authors: Ozlem Bekem
authors: OB
authors: Soylu
authors: Yesim
authors: Y
authors: Ozturk
authors: Erdener
authors: E
authors: Ozer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D023084:alpha-Defensins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D023084:alpha-Defensins