No association between Helicobacter pylori infection or CagA-bearing strains and glaucoma.
OBJECTIVE
Accumulating evidence indicates that a variety of infections contribute to the pathogenesis of glaucoma. The role of Helicobacter pylori infection in glaucoma is controversial.


METHODS
Prospective, population-based study.


METHODS
Patients with various types of glaucoma and a control group of patients with cataract.


METHODS
We evaluated seropositivity to H. pylori and to its cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) product in patients with various types of glaucoma and compared the findings to those of a control group of patients with cataract.


RESULTS
H. pylori infection and CagA seropositivity were detected in 31/51 (60.8%) and 26/51 (51%) glaucoma patients compared with 22/36 (61.1%) and 19/36 (52%) control patients, respectively (P=0.88, 0.67, not significant). Similar rates of H. pylori infection and CagA-positive strain were found in all glaucoma subgroups, and none of them was statistically different from those of controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Neither H. pylori infection nor seropositivity for virulent CagA-bearing H. pylori strains have significant association with the occurrence of glaucoma of any type.
Kurtz
Shimon
S
Department of Ophthalmology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel. kurtzs@zahav.net.il
Regenbogen
Michael
M
Goldiner
Ilana
I
Horowitz
Noya
N
Moshkowitz
Menachem
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D017889:Exfoliation Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006068:Gonioscopy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C080866:cagA protein, Helicobacter pylori