Is Helicobacter pylori infection associated with Henoch-Schonlein purpura in Chinese children? a meta-analysis

Recalcitrant intussusception: exploring potential associations with Helicobacter pylori infection - a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Intussusception, a common cause of abdominal pain in children, often lacks clear underlying causes and is mostly idiopathic. Recurrence, though rare, raises clinical concerns, with rates escalating after each episode. Factors like pathological lead points and Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) are associated with recurrent cases. On the other hand, the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), often asymptomatic, in children has been declining. Although its infection is reported to be linked with HSP, its role in recurrent intussusception remains unexplored. Further research is needed to understand the interplay among H. pylori (culprit pathogen), HSP (trigger), and intractable intussusception so as to develop effective management strategies.

CASE PRESENTATION

A two-year-old girl experienced four atypical episodes of intussusception at distinct locations, which later coincided with HSP. Despite treatment with steroids, recurrent intussusception persisted, suggesting that HSP itself was not a major cause for intractable presentations. Subsequent identification of H. pylori infection and treatment with triple therapy resulted in complete resolution of her recalcitrant intussusception.

CONCLUSION

This instructive case underscored a sequence wherein H. pylori infection triggered HSP, subsequently resulting in recurrent intussusception. While H. pylori infection is not common in young children, the coexistence of intractable intussusception and steroid-resistant recurrent HSP necessitates consideration of H. pylori infection as a potential underlying pathogen.

Immunoglobulin A vasculitis nephritis: Current understanding of pathogenesis and treatment

The clinical spectrum of immunoglobulin A vasculitis nephritis (IgAVN) ranges from the relatively common transitory microscopic hematuria and/or low-grade proteinuria to nephritic or nephrotic syndrome, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, or even renal failure. Clinical and experimental studies have shown a multifactor pathogenesis: Infection triggers, impaired glycosylation of IgA1, complement activation, Toll-like-receptor activation and B cell proliferation. This knowledge can identify IgAVN patients at a greater risk for adverse outcome and increase the evidence for treatment recommendations.

Helicobacter pylori-Related Extraintestinal Manifestations—Myth or Reality

It is well documented that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) can cause both gastrointestinal and extraintestinal manifestations. The latter one represents a major burden in terms of diagnosis and treatment. H. pylori-associated systemic subclinical inflammation is mostly responsible for the development of extraintestinal manifestations, and its early eradication might result in preventing all adverse events related to their occurrence. Thus, it was suggested that H. pylori might be associated with iron deficiency anemia, thrombocytopenia (immune thrombocytopenic purpura), Schonlein Henoch purpura, failure to thrive, vitamin B12 deficiency, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, cardiovascular diseases, as well as certain neurological conditions. Nevertheless, studies showed both pros and cons in terms of the role of H. pylori in the development of previously mentioned clinical entity underlining the crucial need for further studies on these topics. Although most of these extraintestinal manifestations occur during adulthood, we must not forget that H. pylori infection is acquired mainly during childhood, and thus its early diagnosis and eradication might represent the cornerstone in the prevention of H. pylori-induced inflammatory status and consequently of all related extraintestinal conditions.

Renal autoimmunity: The role of bacterial and viral infections, an extensive review

Autoimmunity is a process by which the loss of self-tolerance results in an immune attack against the body own tissues and organs. For autoimmunity to occur, various elements serving as triggers were described by which infections are considered one of the leading factors. In turn, renal involvement in autoimmune diseases, whether by an organ-specific attack, or as part of a systemic disease process, is well known. As bacterial and viral infections are considered to be common triggers for autoimmunity in general, we aimed to study their association with renal autoimmunity in particular. We performed an extensive search of the recent and relevant medical literature regarding renal autoimmunity syndromes such as infection-associated glomerulonephritis and vasculitis, associated with bacterial and viral infections. By utilizing PubMed and Google Scholar search engines, over 200 articles and case reports were reviewed. Among other mechanisms, direct infection of the renal parenchyma, molecular mimicry, induction of B-cells or secretion of superantigens, bacterial and viral pathogens were found to correlate with the development of renal autoimmunity. Nevertheless, this was not true for all pathogens, as some mimic autoimmune diseases and others show a surprisingly protective effect. The exact immunopathogenesis is yet to be determined, however. For conclusion, bacterial and viral infections are linked to renal autoimmunity by both direct damage and as mediators of systemic diseases. Further research particularly on the immunopathogenetic mechanisms of renal autoimmunity associated with infections is required.

Benefits of Helicobacter pylori Eradication on Extragastric Diseases

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication can reduce the risk of gastric diseases such as gastritis, gastric ulcer, and gastric adenocarcinoma. Since H. pylori was discovered more than 30 years ago, many studies have reported associations between H. pylori infection and extragastric diseases such as immune thrombocytopenia and iron-deficiency anemia. Thus, recent guidelines recommended H. pylori eradication in patients with those diseases. In contrast, although the role of H. pylori eradication in other extragastric diseases remains controversial, there is growing evidence of its benefit on them, especially cardiovascular (ischemic heart disease and stroke), metabolic (dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), neurodegenerative (Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease), autoimmune (Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Raynaud’s syndrome, rosacea, and chronic urticaria), and other (cap polyposis, colorectal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, periodontal disease, hyperemesis gravidarum, and osteoporosis) conditions. A recent prospective randomized study reported that H. pylori eradication improved insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. These findings were consistent with the results of a recent meta-analysis. Therefore, well-designed prospective interventional studies are needed to examine the effects of H. pylori eradication on various extragastric diseases.

Pathogenesis of IgA Vasculitis: An Up-To-Date Review

Immunoglobin A (IgA) vasculitis (IgAV), formerly called the Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), is a small vessel vasculitis, characterized by IgA1-dominant immune deposition at diseased vessel walls. IgAV is the most common form of vasculitis in children; typical symptoms include palpable purpura, arthritis or arthralgia, abdominal pain, and hematuria or proteinuria. Galactose-deficient IgA1 is detected in the tissues of the kidney and skin in patients with IgAV; it forms immune complexes leading to subsequent immune reactions and injuries. This report provides the recent advances in the understanding of environmental factors, genetics, abnormal innate and acquired immunity, and the role of galactose-deficient IgA1 immunocomplexes in the pathogenesis of IgAV.

Drug-induced IgA vasculitis in children and adults: Revisiting drug causality using a dual pharmacovigilance-based approach

OBJECTIVES

IgA vasculitis (IgAV) is an immune complex small-vessel vasculitis. Drug-induced IgAV cases were rarely reported in the literature. Drug causality assessment is challenging as many other etiological factors can be involved. We performed a pharmacovigilance study to identify the main drugs reported to induce IgAV.

METHODS

We used the French pharmacovigilance database (FPVD) and the WHO global individual case safety reports database (VigiBase) to retrieve IgAV cases. Cases from the FPVD were reviewed by two investigators using predefined criteria. Disproportionality analyses (case - non-case approach) were conducted in VigiBase to identify drugs significantly associated with IgAV reporting.

RESULTS

Of the 467 IgAV cases retrieved from the FPVD, 115 (47 children and 68 adults) have been assessed as definite or probable, reported with 178 suspected drugs. Overall IgAV cases were mainly male (58%), with a median age of 33.5 (8.0-63.3) years. No death was reported. Besides, we identified 1558 possible IgAV cases in VigiBase. Among them, 40 were associated with a disproportionality in IgAV reporting. Drugs were mainly vaccines, antibiotics and TNF-α blockers, these finding being consistent in both databases. IgAV reporting with TNF-α blockers was significantly associated with their use in inflammatory bowel diseases, psoriasis or ankylosing spondylitis compared to other indications.

CONCLUSIONS

Our systematic study enables the identification of culprit drugs in drug-induced IgAV. These results strengthen the immune pathophysiology of IgAV and the role of underlying disease. The list of suspected drugs may be useful for physicians to manage patients with IgAV and consider appropriate drug discontinuation.

KEY MESSAGES

What is already known about this subject? IgA vasculitis has multifactorial etiology. To date, possible culprit drugs have been reported only in case reports. What does this study add? Using a dual pharmacovigilance-based approach, we identified drugs associated with the occurrence of IgA vasculitis, such as all types of vaccines, major antibiotics and immunomodulatory agents, mainly TNF-α blockers. How might this impact on clinical practice or future developments? Physicians should be aware of drug-induced IgA vasculitis and we provide evidence on the most frequent implicated drugs.

Decreased glycolysis induced dysfunction of NK cells in Henoch-Schonlein purpura patients

BACKGROUND

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is the most common systemic vasculitis of the childhood. However, its mechanisms and pathogenesis still need more exploration. Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes, and there is a growing appreciation that cellular metabolism is important in determining the immune responsiveness of lymphocytes. Thus, we aimed to analyze the NK cells phenotype and explore the association between glucose metabolism and NK cells function in HSP patients.

RESULTS

A total number of 64 HSP patients and 34 healthy children were included. The HSP patients were divided into two groups according to whether accompanied with nephritis or not. NK cells in HSP patients without nephritis showed a reduced frequency in peripheral blood, a down-regulated expression of activating receptors both NKp30 and NKp46, and an attenuated cytotoxic function against tumor cells. In addition, the function impairment of NK cells was shown to exacerbate in HSPN. Our data further revealed an aberrant metabolic reprogramming of NK cells in HSP patients. Upon stimulation with cytokines (IL-15, IL-12 and IL-2), NK cells from healthy controls switched to an elevated glycolysis rate to support their effector function. By contrast, the glycolysis rate of activated NK cells in HSP group was not significantly up-regulated from the resting level possibly owing to the inhibition of mTORC1.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study found that HSP patients were accompanied with dysfunction of NK cells. We concluded that the dysfunction of NK cells in HSP patients was induced with a decreased glycolysis rate and suggested that metabolic reprogramming of NK cells might be a player in the pathogenesis of HSP.

Association between H. pylori infection and health Outcomes: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

OBJECTIVE

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have revealed the associations between H. pylori infection and various health outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the strength and breadth of evidence on the associations.

DESIGN

Umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

SETTING

No settings.

PARTICIPANTS

No patients involved.

DATA SOURCES

Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library Databases, CNKI, VIP database and Wangfang database from inception to February 1, 2019.

OUTCOMES MEASURES

Diverse diseases (such as cancer and ischaemic heart disease).

RESULTS

Sixty articles reporting 88 unique outcomes met the eligible criteria. 74 unique outcomes had nominal significance (p<0.05). Of the outcomes with significance, 61 had harmful associations and 13 had beneficial associations. Furthermore, 73% (64) of the outcomes exhibited significant heterogeneity . Of the these meta-analyses, 32 had moderate to high heterogeneity (I²=50%-75%) and 24 had high heterogeneity (I²>75%). Moreover, 20% exhibited publication bias (p<0.1). In addition, 97% of the methodological qualities were rated 'critically low'. 36% of the evidence qualities of outcomes were rated 'low', 56% of the evidence qualities were rated 'very low' and 8% of the evidence qualities were rated 'moderate'. H. pylori infection may be associated with an increased risk of five diseases and a decreased risk of irritable bowel syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Although 60 meta-analyses explored 88 unique outcomes, moderate quality evidence only existed for six outcomes with statistical significance. H. pylori infection may be associated with a decreased risk of irritable bowel syndrome and an increased risk of hypertriglyceridemia, chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis, gestational diabetes mellitus, gastric cancer and systemic sclerosis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

CRD42019124680.

Association of the infectious triggers with childhood Henoch-Schonlein purpura in Anhui province, China

BACKGROUND

Although the specific etiology of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is still unknown, several kinds of infectious triggers have been proved to participate in its pathogenesis. The objectives of present study were to analyze the association of the infectious triggers with childhood HSP in Anhui province, China.

METHODS

1200 HSP children were recruited from January 2015 to December 2017. Serum antistreptolysin O titer, TORCH, Epstein-Barr virus, helicobacter pylori (HP), Mycoplasma antibodies (MP-Ab), tubercle bacillus antibody (TB-Ab), respiratory pathogens (legionella pneumophila, chlamydia pneumoniae, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza A virus, influenza B virus, rickettsia, parainfluenza virus) were determined. Patients' histories were obtained by interviews and questionnaires.

RESULTS

The annual incidence of HSP was 8.13-9.17 per 100,000. HSP occurred more commonly in spring and winter than in summer with an obvious west-to-east gradient. On admission, several potential infections were identified in 611 cases (50.92%). The infectious agents including streptococcus, HP, MP, parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus, TB and toxoplasma gondii were identified in 205 cases (17.08%), 71 cases (5.92%), 58 cases (4.83%), 6 cases (0.5%), 1 case (0.08%), 1 case (0.08%) and 1 case (0.08%) respectively. 123 cases (10.25%) relapsed or recurred more than one time; the mean number was 2.92, and the mean interval was 11.4 weeks. The infection was the most frequent trigger regardless of clinical phenotypes and relapse/recurrence. Symptomatic treatment plus adjunctive anti-infectious agents could significantly improve the remission rate of purpura in the infectious cases (x²=24.60, p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Streptococcus is the most frequent infectious agent in HSP children regardless of clinical phenotype or relapse/recurrence. The complete elimination of infectious triggers may help relieve cutaneous purpura.

Infections: a double-edge sword in autoimmunity

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Infections play a role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases (AID). Several bacterial and viral pathogens play a double role, as both inducers and inhibitors of AID. In this review, we will present current evidence and discuss different aspects of this notion.

RECENT FINDINGS

Infectors that both inhibit and induce AID include Helicobacter pylori, Klebsiella pneumoniae, hepatitis B virus, group B Coxsackieviruses, Epstein-Barr virus and Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Numerous AID are affected by infections, including polyarteritis nodosa, inflammatory bowel disease, and type 1 diabetes. Some pathogens, such as group B Coxsackieviruses, may induce and inhibit the development of the same AID. This reveals a complex role of infections in autoimmunity pathogenesis.

SUMMARY

Elucidating the exact role of each pathogen on each specific AID is important, as this will enable evaluating the manipulation of these infections in the treatment of AID.

New insights in the pathogenesis of immunoglobulin A vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein purpura)

Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV), also referred to as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, is the most common form of childhood vasculitis. The pathogenesis of IgAV is still largely unknown. The disease is characterized by IgA1-immune deposits, complement factors and neutrophil infiltration, which is accompanied with vascular inflammation. Incidence of IgAV is twice as high during fall and winter, suggesting an environmental trigger associated to climate. Symptoms can resolve without intervention, but some patients develop glomerulonephritis with features similar to IgA nephropathy that include hematuria, proteinuria and IgA deposition in the glomerulus. Ultimately, this can lead to end-stage renal disease. In IgA nephropathy immune complexes containing galactose-deficient (Gd-)IgA1 are found and thought to play a role in pathogenesis. Although Gd-IgA1 complexes are also present in patients with IgAV with nephritis, their role in IgAV is disputed. Alternatively, it has been proposed that in IgAV IgA1 antibodies are generated against endothelial cells. We anticipate that such IgA complexes can activate neutrophils via the IgA Fc receptor FcαRI (CD89), thereby inducing neutrophil migration and activation, which ultimately causes tissue damage in IgAV. In this Review, we discuss the putative role of IgA, IgA receptors, neutrophils and other factors such as infections, genetics and the complement system in the pathogenesis of IgA vasculitis.

Host pathogen interactions in Helicobacter pylori related gastric cancer

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), discovered in 1982, is a microaerophilic, spiral-shaped gram-negative bacterium that is able to colonize the human stomach. Nearly half of the world's population is infected by this pathogen. Its ability to induce gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric cancer and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma has been confirmed. The susceptibility of an individual to these clinical outcomes is multifactorial and depends on H. pylori virulence, environmental factors, the genetic susceptibility of the host and the reactivity of the host immune system. Despite the host immune response, H. pylori infection can be difficult to eradicate. H. pylori is categorized as a group I carcinogen since this bacterium is responsible for the highest rate of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Early detection of cancer can be lifesaving. The 5-year survival rate for gastric cancer patients diagnosed in the early stages is nearly 90%. Gastric cancer is asymptomatic in the early stages but always progresses over time and begins to cause symptoms when untreated. In 97% of stomach cancer cases, cancer cells metastasize to other organs. H. pylori infection is responsible for nearly 60% of the intestinal-type gastric cancer cases but also influences the development of diffuse gastric cancer. The host genetic susceptibility depends on polymorphisms of genes involved in H. pylori-related inflammation and the cytokine response of gastric epithelial and immune cells. H. pylori strains differ in their ability to induce a deleterious inflammatory response. H. pylori-driven cytokines accelerate the inflammatory response and promote malignancy. Chronic H. pylori infection induces genetic instability in gastric epithelial cells and affects the DNA damage repair systems. Therefore, H. pylori infection should always be considered a pro-cancerous factor.

Current views of the relationship between Helicobacter pylori and Henoch-Schonlein purpura in children

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the factors involved in the pathogenesis of various gastrointestinal diseases and may play a potential role in certain extra-intestinal diseases. H. pylori infection are mainly acquired during childhood, and it has been reported that in endemic areas of China the infection rates are extraordinarily higher in HSP children, particular those with abdominal manifestations. Furthermore, eradication therapy may ameliorate Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) manifestations and decrease the recurrence of HSP. Therefore, results suggested that detection of H. pylori infection by appropriate method ought to be applied in HSP children. Current evidences indicate that local injury of gastric mucosa and immunological events induced by H. pylori infection are involved in the development of HSP. Increased serum IgA, cryoglobulins, C3 levels, autoimmunity, proinflammatory substances and molecular mimicry inducing immune complex and cross-reactive antibodies caused by H. pylori infection might play their roles in the course of HSP. However, there are no investigations confirming the causality between H. pylori infection and HSP, and the pathogenesis mechanism is still unclear. More bench and clinical studies need to be executed to elaborate the complex association between H. pylori and HSP.

Infectious triggers for vasculitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Infections have been suggested to contribute to disease induction and reactivation in many of the idiopathic vasculitides. This review describes and evaluates the evidence that microbes are involved in the etiopathogenesis of these diseases.

RECENT FINDINGS

Large-vessel vasculitis has recently been associated with two specific bacteria. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is thought to have an inducing role in Takayasu arteritis and a Burkholderia bacterium might be involved in giant cell arteritis. Hepatitis B and C viruses have been linked to polyarteritis nodosa. In antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated vasculitis, and more specifically granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), Staphylococcus aureus has been the focus of many studies. Chronic nasal carriage of S. aureus is related to endonasal activity and disease relapses in GPA patients. Moreover, antibacterial treatment is known to reduce the risk for disease relapses. If and how pathogens trigger vasculitis is still unclear, but several potential mechanisms have been suggested and are briefly reviewed here.

SUMMARY

Although many observations suggest a link between infections and the development of vasculitis, no direct proof exists. Transcriptomic and proteomic studies of the pathogens involved could aid in identifying specific or common traits of pathogens that are relevant for the development and reactivation of vasculitis.

Helicobacter pylori and inflammatory skin diseases

Throughout the history of mankind, infections have been the major cause of diseases. Over the last decades, not only the incidence of emerging infectious diseases have increased, but also tremendous strides have been made in understanding the biology of several pathogenic microorganisms. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a spiral-shaped, gram-negative bacterium, which infects over the half of the world’s population. H. pylori has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of gastrointestinal disorders. However, new researches have demonstrated that H. pylori is also involved in the pathogenesis of various extragastric diseases. The difference in the clinical outcome of H. pylori infection may be explained, at least in part, by host response to the infection and H. pylori virulence factors. It is obvious that as developments in the research on H. pylori spring up, an understanding of the pathophysiology of H. pylori infection will continue to be identified. Here in this review, we summarize the current knowledge about H. pylori and its association with inflammatory skin diseases.

Pathophysiological Relationship between Infections and Systemic Vasculitis

The development of autoimmune disorders requires a combination of genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. Infectious agents, such as viruses and bacteria, can trigger autoimmunity through different mechanisms, and for systemic vasculitis in particular, microbial agents have been suggested to be involved in its pathogenesis. Although the exact mechanisms have not been fully elucidated, different theories have been postulated. This review considers the role of infections in the etiology of primary vasculitis, emphasizing their related immunological events.

[Helicobacter pylori infection and extragastroduodenal diseases]

At present, the clinical significance of Helicobacter pylori infection has been validly determined within the development of a diversity of gastroduodenal diseases, including chronic gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcer, MALT lymphoma, and gastric adenocarcinoma. The Expert Council's Maastricht IV consensus (2010) determining international standards for the diagnosis and treatment of H. pylori infection is that there is evidence that the latter may be associated with the development of a number of extragastroduodenal diseases (EGDDs) presented by iron-deficiency anemia of unspecified etiology, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and vitamin B12 deficiency. In these diseases, it is recommended that infection with H. pylori be diagnosed and, if the test is positive, this microorganism be eradicated. A large number of investigations have been recently conducted to examine the association of H. pylori infection with other EGDDs. This paper reviews theoretical and epidemiological data on the association of H. pylori with diseases of the cardiovascular (atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction) and central nervous (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease) systems, pancreas (autoimmune pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer), oncological (colonic adenomas, colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma), dermatological (chronic spontaneous urticaria), and other EGDDs. The review highlights the potential protective role of H. pylori in diseases with the atopic element of genesis and a complicated course of gastroesophageal reflux disease (Barrett's esophagus, esophageal adenocarcinoma).

Relationship between immune parameters and organ involvement in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is the most common type of connective tissue diseases which increasingly occurs in children in recent years and its pathogenesis remains unclear. In order to explore the immune parameters and underlying pathogenesis mechanism of children with HSP, the study involved 1232 patients with HSP having different clinical symptoms and their laboratory indicators were evaluated. Th1/Th2 imbalance and overactivity of Th2 cells can cause increase in the synthesis and release of immunoglobulins in children with HSP. The number of red blood cells and white blood cells in urine was directly proportional to the level of IgA and inversely proportional to the level of serum complements (C3 and C4). Activation of these complements caused by immunoglobulin in patients with HSP plays an important role in renal injury. The urinary protein content in children with HSP along with proteinuria was positively correlated with IgE level, and IgE mediated type 1 hypersensitivity can cause increase in capillary permeability and weakened the charge barrier; hence, it could be considered as one of the causes of proteinuria in HSP. Additionally, the NK cells percentage was reduced and impaired immune function of NK cells were related to the immune injury of the digestive tract and kidney.

Helicobacter pylori infection: New pathogenetic and clinical aspects

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infects more than half of the world’s human population, but only 1% to 3% of infected people consequently develop gastric adenocarcinomas. The clinical outcome of the infection is determined by host genetic predisposition, bacterial virulence factors, and environmental factors. The association between H. pylori infection and chronic active gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric cell carcinoma, and B cell mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma has been well established. With the exception of unexplained iron deficiency anemia and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, H. pylori infection has no proven role in extraintestinal diseases. On the other hand, there is data showing that H. pylori infection could be beneficial for some human diseases. The unpredictability of the long-term consequences of H. pylori infection and the economic challenge in eradicating it is why identification of high-risk individuals is crucial.

Helicobacter pylori in pediatrics

This review concerned the important pediatric studies published between April 2012 and March 2013. Symptomatology in Helicobacter pylori-positive children is nonspecific, except for those suffering from peptic ulcer diseases. Investigation of H. pylori status in children and adolescents with sideropenic anemia is recommended, and it is the aim of several studies worldwide. Associations of H. pylori with plasma ghrelin levels as well as the negative association of H. pylori with atopic disease were interesting objectives for several studies this year. Success rates of sequential therapy tended to be lower in recent studies than in previous trials, which probably reflects the increase in macrolide resistance. A beneficial effect of probiotics was reported although not all trials supported this result in children. Intrafamilial transmission and young age could be major risk factors associated with reinfection in children.