Helicobacter pylori serology in patients with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis

A systematic review and meta-analysis for association of Helicobacter pylori colonization and celiac disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Based on some previous observational studies, there is a theory that suggests a potential relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) colonization and celiac disease (CeD); however, the type of this relationship is still controversial. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore all related primary studies to find any possible association between CeD and human H. pylori colonization.

DATA SOURCES

Studies were systematically searched and collected from four databases and different types of gray literature to cover all available evidence. After screening, the quality and risk of bias assessment of the selected articles were evaluated.

SYNTHESIS METHODS

Meta-analysis calculated pooled odds ratio (OR) on the extracted data. Furthermore, heterogeneity, sensitivity, subgroups, and publication bias analyses were assessed.

RESULTS

Twenty-six studies were included in this systematic review, with a total of 6001 cases and 135512 control people. The results of meta-analysis on 26 studies showed a significant and negative association between H. pylori colonization and CeD (pooled OR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.45-0.70; P < 0.001), with no publication bias (P = 0.825). The L'Abbé plots also showed a trend of having more H. pylori colonization in the control group. Among subgroups, ORs were notably different only when the data were stratified by continents or risk of bias; however, subgroup analysis could not determine the source of heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the meta-analysis, this negative association might imply a mild protective role of H. pylori against celiac disease. Although this negative association is not strong, it is statistically significant and should be further considered. Further investigations in both molecular and clinic fields with proper methodology and more detailed information are needed to discover more evidence and underlying mechanisms to clear the interactive aspects of H. pylori colonization in CeD patients.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER (PROSPERO)

CRD42020167730 https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=167730.

Helicobacter pylori Infection in Children with Concurrent Celiac Disease and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVES

Data regarding Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection frequency in concurrent celiac disease (CD) and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) (CD + T1DM) are anecdotal. This study aimed to evaluate the association between Hp and concomitant CD + T1DM in children.

METHODS

In this 2-center, case-control study, children who underwent esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD) were studied. CD diagnosis was established by favorable histology and serology. Hp infection was confirmed by both histology and the rapid urease test. Patients were divided into 3 groups as CD only (CDo), CD + T1DM, and non-CD children who underwent endoscopy as controls.

RESULTS

Among the 1,431 EGDs performed, 783 cases were eligible. Overall, 215 cases had CDo (mean age: 9.12 ± 4.18 years, 58.1% girls), 63 cases had CD + T1DM (mean age: 9.29 ± 4.46 years, 50.8% girls), and 505 cases were controls (mean age: 9.69 ± 4.52 years, 56.6% girls). Hp infection rate was significantly lower in CD + T1DM group (controls: 49.7% vs. CDo: 32.1% vs. CD + T1DM: 20.6%, p < 0.01). After adjustment for age, gender, and socioeconomic status, the Hp infection rate was still significantly low (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.57, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.35-1.83, p < 0.01). A difference in Hp infection rate between controls and CDo group (aOR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.09-2.12, p < 0.05), and between CDo and CD + T1DM (aOR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.65-1.54, p < 0.05) group was significant. The severity of duodenal lesions and the presence of Hp infection were not correlated in all celiac children (r: 0.113, p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The frequency of Hp infection was significantly lower in CD + T1DM children, compared to the CDo group and the controls.

The coeliac stomach: A review of the literature

Beyond the small intestine, coeliac disease (CeD) may affect other gastrointestinal tracts, including the stomach. However, various studies have reported conflicting results regarding the association between CeD and gastric manifestations. The aim of this study was to analyze the existing literature on gastric involvement in CeD. A literature search was conducted in bibliographic databases of Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Studies reporting the association between CeD and gastric disorders were examined in detail and are fully described in the review. Both in children and adults, a strong correlation between lymphocytic gastritis and CeD was found at CeD diagnosis, and lymphocytic gastritis seemed to improve on a gluten-free diet. Most of the literature described a lower risk of gastritis related to Helicobacter pylori infection in CeD subjects compared to controls. However, due to the discordance among studies in terms of study design and population, a clear association could not be determined. Finally, the relationship between CeD and reflux or dyspepsia has yet to be defined, as well as the association between CeD and autoimmune gastritis. CeD appears to be a multiform entity associated with different gastric disorders with a different degree of relationship. Thus, gastric biopsies should be routinely taken during upper endoscopy in CeD patients.

Helicobacter pylori infection in children with celiac disease: Multi-center, cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

An inverse association has been suggested between celiac disease (CD) and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in children; however, there are inconsistent data. The purpose of this multi-center study is to evaluate the association between Hp and CD in childhood.

METHODS

Children who underwent endoscopy between July 2016 and November 2017 in four pediatric gastroenterology centers were included in the study. Patients with a history of previous Hp eradication, antibiotic or acid-suppressive drug therapy in the last 4 weeks, and any underlying chronic disease were excluded. The presence of Hp infection was confirmed by both histopathology and the rapid urease test. The ones who had the diagnosis of CD were compared with the children who underwent endoscopy during the same period and had another diagnosis. Duodenal histopathology of children with CD was categorized according to the modified Marsh classification.

RESULTS

Of 3056 endoscopies performed in the study period, 2484 cases were eligible for the study. A total of 482 CD patients (mean age: 9.71 ± 4.63 years, 58.5% girls) and 2060 controls (mean age: 9.92 ± 4.66 years, 54.6% girls) were included in the study. The rate of Hp infection was significantly lower in CD group (26.3% vs 50.1%, P < .01). The difference was prominent even in children younger than 6 years old (P < .01). There was no correlation between Hp infection and the modified Marsh scores in CD (P > .05).

CONCLUSION

In this cross-sectional study, where Hp infection is common even in the pediatric population, the frequency of Hp infection was significantly lower in children with CD compared with the controls. Systematic cohort studies are necessary to clarify causal association between Hp infection and the development of celiac disease.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Turkish children with celiac disease and its effect on clinical, histopathological, and laboratory parameters

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in children with celiac disease (CD) and its relationship with clinical, histopathological, and laboratory parameters.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Two hundred and fifty-six patients with serologically and histopathologically diagnosed CD at the Pediatric Gastroenterology Department, Turkey, from January 2012 to March 2017, were included in the study, as well as 1012 patients with dyspeptic complaints. Biopsies of the duodenum and antrum were taken; the existence of HP and the histological level of damage were studied. HP (+) and HP (-) cases were compared according to age, sex, noted complaints, and clinical and laboratory features.

RESULTS

Seventy (27.4%) CD patients and 270 (26.7%) patients with dyspeptic complaints were HP (+). The diagnostic age was higher in HP (+) cases, and diarrhea and abdominal distension were significantly higher. Although hemoglobin, ferritin, vitamin B12, and transferrin saturation were lower in HP (+) cases, the differences were not statistically significant. The serum folate level in the HP (+) group was significantly lower compared to the HP (-) group.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of HP was not increased in cases of CD. The CD was diagnosed later in HP (+) cases, distension and diarrhea complaints were more frequent, and folate deficiency was significant.

Helicobacter pylori infection and occurrence of celiac disease in subjects HLA-DQ2/DQ8 positive: A prospective study

BACKGROUND

Celiac disease (CD) occurs in subjects positive for HLA-DQ2 and/or DQ8 gene loci at any age following ingestion of gluten-containing food. An increased permeability of the mucosa allows interactions between gliadin macromolecules and genetic factors. It has been observed that Helicobacter pylori has the ability to modulate the integrity of the duodenal epithelium. We aimed to determine whether H. pylori infection may enhance the occurrence of CD in genetically susceptible subjects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a prospective observational study. Patients undergoing upper endoscopy for any reason and positive for HLA-DQ2 and/or DQ8 haplotypes with or without CD were included. H. pylori infection was defined as a positive gastric histopathology and/or 13C-urea breath test. Prevalence of infection was compared between enrolled subjects with and without CD. Multiple logistic regression analysis, adjusting odds ratios for patient age, gender, smoking habit, residency, body mass index, and assumption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 397 genetically susceptible individuals (mean age: 37.7 ± 15.3 years; 86% women) were enrolled between October 2014 and October 2017. There were 265 (68%) patients with a diagnosis of CD. Overall, the prevalence of H. pylori infection was 33% and was similar in patients with and without CD (32% vs 36%). Adjustment for all covariates did not reveal any significant association, although adjusted odds ratio (OR) for CD was higher in female (OR = 1.302), in patients H. pylori positive (OR = 1.277), followed by use of NSAIDs (OR = 1.126), respectively. The use of PPIs appeared to be mildly protective against CD (OR = 0.644).

CONCLUSION

Our study did not reveal any significant relationship between H. pylori and CD risk, even taking into account other confounders. More importantly, our findings do not support a "protective" role of H. pylori infection against CD, as previously reported. Therefore, there are no reasons to avoid eradication of H. pylori also in subject genetically susceptible for CD.

Celiac disease and Helicobacter pylori infection in children: Is there any Association?

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection can influence the inflammatory and immune responses in the gut and may therefore play a role in the development of gluten-related enteropathy in genetically susceptible individuals. Our objective was to assess the relationship between celiac disease and HP infection in children.

METHODS

Children (1-18 years) diagnosed as celiac disease (CD) (n = 324) with submission of gastric and duodenal biopsies and duodenal histology having Marsh grade III features were eligible for the study. Non-celiac patients referred for endoscopy were selected as controls. We studied proportion of HP prevalence in children with confirmed CD as compared with HP prevalence in reference group comprising non-celiac children referred for endoscopy. We also evaluated predictors of HP infection in children with celiac disease.

RESULTS

Of the 324 participants with CD, gastric HP was seen in 37 (11.4%) patients. The prevalence of HP in patients without CD (50%, P < 0.001) was significantly higher. Among patients with CD, HP infection was most frequent in patients with Marsh IIIa. In the stepwise regression analysis for risk factors of HP infection in CD patients: presence of gastritis, hemoglobin, and absence of scalloping were found to be independent predictors in a multivariate setup.

CONCLUSION

Celiac disease and gastric HP infection have inverse relationship that raises the question whether development of HP infection confers protection against CD.

Relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and celiac disease: a cross-sectional study and a brief review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Whether Helicobacter pylori triggers celiac disease (CD) or protects against CD is currently the subject of research. In the literature, there are epidemiologic studies that have reported conflicting results regarding the association between H. pylori and CD.

AIM

To compare the prevalence of CD autoantibody positivity and the levels of CD autoantibodies between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative subjects.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study was prospectively designed and included 240 dyspeptic patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with gastric and duodenal biopsies. The patients were divided into two groups according to presence of H. pylori infection. The serum levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) A, tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTGA; IgA and IgG classes), and anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA; IgA and IgG classes) were measured for all participants by a blinded biochemistry expert.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the serum levels of CD autoantibodies or IgA between the two groups. There were also no significant differences in the percentages of subjects with positive CD serologies or subjects with IgA deficiencies between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Helicobacter pylori remains one of the bacterial species that is most likely to trigger autoimmunity. However, studies have failed to reveal a relationship between H. pylori and CD; thus, additional basic work on the immunological aspects of the microbial-host interactions and longitudinal studies enrolling patients at very early stages of the disease may help us to address this issue.

[Successes and unsolved problems in the study of celiac disease]

The review gives current views on the problem of celiac disease (gluten enteropathy). It presents the pathogenetic components of pathology development, associations with the specific features of the microflora in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as groups at risk for this pathology. The idea on other types of gluten intolerance is briefly given. Current elaborated approaches to gluten enteropathy therapy are provided.

Pathological and Clinical Correlation between Celiac Disease and Helicobacter Pylori Infection; a Review of Controversial Reports

There are overwhelming reports and descriptions about celiac associated disorders. Although there is a clear genetic association between celiac disease (CD) and some gastrointestinal disorders, there are controversial reports claiming an association between CD and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Different studies indicated the possible association between lymphocytic gastritis and both CD and H. pylori infection, although this evidence is not consistently accepted. Also it was shown that an increase in intraepithelial lymphocytes count is associated with both H. pylori infection and celiac disease. Therefore the following questions may raise: how far is this infection actually related to CD?, which are the underlying patho-mechanisms for these associations? what are the clinical implications? what is the management? and what would be the role of gluten free diet in treating these conditions? PubMed (PubMed Central), Ovid, ISI of web knowledge, and Google scholar were searched for full text articles published between 1985 and 2015. The associated keywords were used, and papers described particularly the impact of pathological and clinical correlation between CD and H. pylori infection were identified. In this review we tried to answer the above questions and discussed some of the recent developments in the pathological and clinical aspects of CD and H. pylori infection.

Helicobacter pylori in celiac disease and in duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytosis: Active protagonist or innocent bystander?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection influences duodenal inflammation. Consequently, in celiac disease and in duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytosis, the bacterium could affect the clinical-histological manifestations. The aim of this work was to evaluate the prevalence and the potential role of H. pylori infection in celiac disease and duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytosis.

METHODS

H. pylori status was reviewed in 154 patients with celiac disease or duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytosis and in a control population. This retrospective study was performed at Molinette hospital, university of Torino, Italy.

RESULTS

H. pylori prevalence was 36% in celiac disease patients, 19% in case of duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytosis and 41% in controls (P<0.05 vs. duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytosis). H. pylori prevalence was not significantly different between celiac disease patients with or without iron deficiency anemia (22% vs. 39%) and it was higher in patients with milder duodenal lesions: 50% in Marsh-Oberhuber classification type 1-2 vs. 33% in type 3. Celiac disease patients had a mean intraepithelial lymphocytes count greater than that of duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytosis patients (52 vs. 44 intraepithelial lymphocytes per 100 epithelial cells). Both in celiac disease and in duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytosis patients, H. pylori infection was associated with an increase in intraepithelial lymphocytes count, but this difference was not significant.

CONCLUSION

H. pylori prevalence was similar in celiac disease patients and in controls and higher in patients with milder duodenal lesions. There was no association between H. pylori infection and duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytosis.

Helicobacter pylori-Mediated Protection against Extra-Gastric Immune and Inflammatory Disorders: The Evidence and Controversies

A large number of studies link H. pylori infection with a reduced risk of developing extra-gastric conditions such as allergy, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease and multiple sclerosis. The strength of the evidence for these protective associations is quite variable, and published studies often do not agree. This review article discusses some of the reasons for these discrepancies, and the difficulties faced when designing studies. Examples of some protective disease associations are described in detail, where the evidence is most abundant and thought to be more reliable. The most convincing of these are supported by published mechanistic data, for example with animal models, or incidence of disease exacerbation in humans following H. pylori eradication. Although controversial, this field is very important as the prevalence of H. pylori is decreasing throughout the world whilst many chronic diseases are becoming more common. These trends are likely to continue in the future, therefore it is important that we fully understand if and how H. pylori confers protection.

H.pylori associated with iron deficiency anemia even in celiac disease patients; strongly evidence based but weakly reflected in practice

Inflammation can lead to malabsorption of important micronutrients such as iron. Malabsorption and nutritional deficiency can be caused by a variety of pathological and environmental factors causing a range of other symptoms commonly caused by both H. pylori infection and coeliac disease (CD). National guidelines suggest the routine taking of duodenal biopsies to exclude CD when investigating patients for iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Studies suggest that in absence of positive antibodies, IDA is rarely caused by CD. Recent British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines discourage the routine duodenal biopsies in low risk cases but despite this guidance, taking duodenal biopsies for IDA is a common practice. Many studies have reported that H. pylori infection is associated with IDA even in patients with CD. In countries with low H. pylori prevalence we still detect more H. pylori than CD standing behind IDA. Despite the strong association between IDA and H. pylori, taking biopsies to diagnose H. pylori infection is not usually a routine part of the diagnostic workup to identify the etiology of IDA. In this review we will discuss the impact of H. pylori in IDA and highlight the possible gaps in identifying the IDA etiology.

Decreased risk of celiac disease in patients with Helicobacter pylori colonization

The prevalence of celiac disease (CD) has increased in recent decades without a clear explanation. The "hygiene hypothesis" theorizes that decreased exposure to bacterial antigens may trigger autoimmunity. We aimed to determine whether Helicobacter pylori infection and CD were associated among patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. We performed a cross-sectional study of patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with submission of gastric and duodenal biopsies to Miraca Life Sciences, Inc. (Irving, Texas), a US commercial pathology laboratory, during a 4.5-year period (January 2008-June 2012). We compared the prevalence of H. pylori in CD patients with that in persons without CD. We performed multiple logistic regression analysis, adjusting odds ratios for patient age, gender, and racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic factors. Among 136,179 patients, a total of 2,689 (2.0%) had CD. H. pylori prevalence was significantly lower in patients with CD (4.4%) than in those without CD (8.8%; P < 0.0001). After adjustment for the above covariates, this inverse relationship remained strong (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.48, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.40, 0.58). The relationships were similar in men (unadjusted OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.38, 0.69) and women (unadjusted OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.36, 0.58) and in all age groups. We conclude that H. pylori presence and CD are inversely associated, a relationship that persists after adjustment for socioeconomic factors. Future studies should address whether H. pylori modulates immune responses to ingested gluten.

Chronic gastritis in dermatitis herpetiformis: a controlled study

Background and Objective. Previous small studies suggest that chronic atrophic gastritis is common in dermatitis herpetiformis (DH). We here examined the frequency and topography of chronic gastritis in 93 untreated DH subjects and in 186 controls with dyspepsia. Methods. Specimens were drawn from the gastric corpus and antrum and examined for atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, and Helicobacter pylori. Duodenal biopsies were taken. Results. Atrophic corpus gastritis was more frequent in DH than in controls (16.0% and 2.7%, resp., P < 0.001); atrophy in the antrum was rare in both groups (3.2% and 1.1%, P = 0.34). Intestinal metaplasia was present in 13 (14.0%) DH and 12 (6.5%) control patients (P = 0.038) and H. pylori in 17 (18.3%) and 17 (9.3%) (P = 0.028), respectively. Small-bowel villous atrophy was seen in 76% of the DH patients, equally in patients with and without chronic gastritis. One DH patient with atrophic gastritis developed gastric cancer. Conclusion. In DH, chronic atrophic gastritis was common in the corpus, but not in the antrum. H. pylori will partly explain this, but corpus atrophy is suggestive of an autoimmune etiology. Atrophic gastritis may increase the risk of gastric cancer. We advocate performing upper endoscopy with sufficient histologic samples in DH.

Clinical and histological presentation of Helicobacter pylori and gluten related gastroenteropathy

BACKGROUND

Celiac disease has been reported to be associated with gastric abnormalities. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the prevalence of celiac disease and Helicobacter pylori infection in an Iranian population of 250 patients.

METHODS

Biopsies were taken from the gastric antrum and duodenum. Morphology and histology were evaluated using the updated Sydney system and modified Marsh criteria, respectively. To simplify the interpretation of gastric lesions we classified gastritis in macroscopic and microscopic stages. Serology for anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody was performed to determine the presence of celiac disease.

RESULTS

Among 250 patients, 232 (93%) had histological evidence of Helicobacter pylori infection. Histological abnormalities (Marsh I to IIIc) were present in 24 (10%). Of 24 patients, 20 (83%) with histological abnormalities were infected with Helicobacter pylori. Of 250 patients, 25 (10%) had a positive anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody. Of 25 anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody positive patients, 9 (3.6%) had microscopic and macroscopic enteritis (Marsh I to IIIc).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical presentation of celiac disease was not distinguishable from cases infected with Helicobacter pylori. Histology, even in patients with positive serology, was non-specific and unhelpful. We found a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and chronic gastritis, but neither was associated with celiac disease, in agreement with studies in Western populations.

Helicobacter pylori infection in children with celiac disease

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in children with celiac disease (CD) and to examine the role of H. pylori infection in clinical, laboratory and histopathological presentations of CD.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data on 96 children with CD and 235 children who underwent endoscopy were compared for the prevalence and gastric histology pattern of H. pylori. Clinical presentation, laboratory and histological findings of CD children with and without H. pylori infection were compared.

RESULTS

Twenty-one subjects (21.8%) in the CD group and 56 subjects (23.8%) in the control group had H. pylori gastritis. Gastric metaplasia is higher in CD patients with H. pylori gastritis (19%) than in patients without H. pylori gastritis (1.3%) and in the control group (3.5%) (p<0.05 for all groups). Abdominal distension is more common at initial admission in CD patients with H. pylori gastritis (57.1% versus 14.6%, p<0.05). No significant difference was found between H. pylori (+) and (-) CD patients in terms of prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia. Only mild duodenal histological findings were more common in H. pylori patients (57.1% versus 26.7%, p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

CD may be associated with H. pylori gastritis, but it does not affect the clinical presentation of the disease, except for abdominal distension; CD is associated with mild duodenal lesions. A gluten-free diet improves the symptoms in all patients independently of the presence of H. pylori gastritis. Gastric metaplasia increases in the presence of H. pylori gastritis. Further prospective studies are needed to examine the clinical and histopathological outcomes of gastric metaplasia associated with H. pylori gastritis in CD patients.

Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with celiac disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Patients with Helicobacter pylori gastritis are more likely to have increased duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL); this can be reversed by H. pylori eradication. We hypothesized that: (1) H. pylori-infected celiac disease (CD) patients could have different clinicopathological features from noninfected subjects; and (2) the histopathological responses to a gluten-free diet could be different in H. pylori-infected and noninfected patients.

METHODS

Duodenal and gastric biopsies obtained from 80 adults with histologically and serologically confirmed CD before and after 12-18 months of a gluten-free diet were retrospectively evaluated. Gastritis was classified and scored according to the Updated Sydney System; duodenal biopsies were classified using both the Marsh-Oberhuber and a simplified classification proposed by our group.

RESULTS

At baseline, 30 patients had H. pylori infection and 50 did not; at follow-up five new infections were detected. Fifteen patients (3 H. pylori-positive and 12 negative) had lymphocytic gastritis. At baseline, a greater proportion of H. pylori-negative patients had severe villous atrophy (p < 0.01), but milder forms were more prevalent in H. pylori-positive patients (p < 0.01). After a gluten-free diet, significant improvement occurred in all duodenal features (p < 0.001), irrespective of H. pylori status; gastric variables did not change, except for lymphocytic, which resolved in 2 infected and 10 noninfected patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical features of CD patients are unrelated to H. pylori gastritis, and a gluten-free diet is equally effective in infected as in uninfected patients. The higher prevalence of milder duodenal lesions in CD patients with H. pylori infection suggests that lymphocytosis induced by H. pylori gastric infection becomes less obvious as profound inflammatory and structural changes alter the mucosal architecture. This study also provides further support for a pathogenetic relationship between CD and lymphocytic gastritis.

Helicobacter pylori infection in skin diseases: a critical appraisal

More than 50% of the human population have long-term Helicobacter pylori infection, causing, in some cases, severe diseases such as peptic ulcers and stomach cancer. In the last few years several extra-gastrointestinal disorders have been associated with H. pylori infection. This review summarized the current medical literature, identified through hand searching and MEDLINE research, including our own studies, with regard to H. pylori and skin diseases. From the literature it can be seen that the role of H. pylori in skin diseases is still a controversial subject. Randomized controlled trials with adequate masking and sample sizes are still lacking. The best evidence comes from studies investigating chronic urticaria in which chronic urticaria disappeared in many patients with H. pylori infection after careful eradication of the H. pylori. Moreover, there are promising recent reports of beneficial H. pylori eradication in Behçet's disease, pruritus cutaneus, prurigo chronica, prurigo nodularis and in some patients with lichen planus, but not in rosacea or psoriasis. Before any conclusions with respect to other skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, Schoenlein-Henoch Purpura, Sweet's syndrome, Sjögren syndrome or systemic sclerosis may be drawn, additional randomized, double-blinded and placebo-controlled studies including adequate diagnostic schedules, sufficient eradication treatment protocols, confirmation of eradication and adequate control groups are needed. The cutaneous pathology of H. pylori is far from being clear, but it is speculated that the systemic effects may involve increased mucosal permeability to alimentary antigens, immunomodulation, an autoimmune mechanism or the impairment of vascular integrity.

Parietal cell antibodies and Helicobacter pylori in children

BACKGROUND

Gastric autoantibodies are common in Helicobacter pylori-infected adults, and the presence of these antibodies is associated with atrophic gastritis. The role of H. pylori in the autoimmune type of atrophic gastritis is unresolved, and it is not known at what stage the autoantibodies appear in serum during H. pylori infection. Therefore, we screened children with and without H. pylori infection for gastric parietal cell antibodies.

METHODS

Seventy-one children with H. pylori infection verified by examination of gastric biopsy specimens (mean age, 9.4 years), 8 children with positive serology but negative histology for H. pylori (mean age, 11.6 years), and 130 children with negative serology for H. pylori (mean age, 7.7 years) were screened for the presence of gastric parietal cell antibodies in serum by indirect immunofluorescence. In addition, 61 children with celiac disease (mean age, 7.1 years) were screened for gastric parietal cell antibodies and H. pylori antibodies.

RESULTS

None of the children with H. pylori infection had gastric parietal cell antibodies in serum. Only three positive parietal cell antibody reactions were found: a 14-year-old boy with positive serology for H. pylori but no other signs of infection (titer 5000), a 14-year-old girl with tuberculosis (titer 1250, seronegative for H. pylori) and a 10-year-old girl with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (titer 6250, seronegative for H. pylori).

CONCLUSIONS

Although gastric autoantibodies are often found in adults with chronic H. pylori gastritis, it seems that H. pylori-infected children are not positive for gastric parietal cell antibodies. It remains to be studied in which H. pylori infections and at what stages gastric autoantibodies appear.

A case of prurigo and lichenified plaques successfully treated with proton pump inhibitor

A case of prurigo and lichenified plaques successfully treated with proton pump inhibitor is presented. She presented with pruritic eruptions, which showed marked lichenification and prurigo nodules, on her trunk and extremities. She had been treated with steroid ointment and H1-histamine receptor antagonist without success. Laboratory examinations revealed increased eosiophils and elevated lactate dehydrogenase. The skin biopsy specimen showed moderate acanthosis with spongiosis and lymphocytic and eosinophilic infiltration into the upper dermis. Because of vomiting and epigastralgia, endoscopical examination was performed, and an ulcer was found at the angle of her ventricle. A biopsy specimen disclosed a benign gastric mucosa with moderate inflammation within the lamina propria, and organisms consistent with Helicobacter pylori. Treatment for gastric ulcer with proton pump inhibitor (omeprazole) and aluminium hydroxide gel improved her eruptions and her pruritus resolved. She was discharged with complete cure of her eruption and ventricular ulcer. Our case indicates that gastric lesions induced by Helicobacter pylori infection may play an important role in dermatological diseases. Proton pump inhibitors including omeprazole are one of the choices for the treatment of some dermatological diseases including prurigo and lichenified plaques.

Characterization of gastric mucosal lesions in patients with celiac disease: a prospective controlled study

OBJECTIVE

Several studies have demonstrated that chronic exposure to gluten may damage the structure and function of the gastric mucosa in gluten-sensitive patients. However, until now, these abnormalities have been incompletely studied. Our purpose in the present study was to characterize, in a prospective controlled study, the endoscopic and histological appearance of the gastric mucosa in a large cohort of patients with celiac disease with and without Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.

METHODS

We evaluated biopsy specimens taken from the gastric body and antrum of 218 individuals who underwent upper endoscopy for small bowel biopsy. One hundred-four patients had celiac disease (80 of them at the time of diagnosis-untreated). In 114 subjects celiac disease was excluded.

RESULTS

Endoscopic findings did not show a difference between the groups. The prevalence of cases with normal gastric mucosa, chronic superficial gastritis, and atrophic gastritis was similar in patients and controls. Similarly, presence of metaplasia, inflammatory activity, and lymphoid follicles and aggregates did not show differences between the groups. Histological or serological evidence of H. pylori infection was detected in 86% of patients (82% of untreated celiacs and 95% of those on those taking treatment). The infection was highly prevalent in patients (89%) and controls (97%) diagnosed with chronic gastritis. Untreated patients had a significant greater IEL count in the antrum and corpus than controls (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.001, respectively). A global analysis of the data on intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) counts in the different populations suggest that the inflammatory state may represent the cumulative effect of H. pylori infection and gluten sensitivity. Only three patients had IEL infiltration compatible with diagnosis of lymphocytic gastritis (count >25%) and three other patients had borderline counts.

CONCLUSIONS

According to our results, celiac disease patients presented a similar prevalence of gastric mucosal abnormalities compared with the control population. Evidence of H. pylori infection was very high compared with the prevalence in the general Argentine population. As a particular observation in our celiac population, the disease was rarely associated with lymphocytic gastritis. We suggest that the chronic inflammatory state evidenced by a gastric mucosal lymphocyte infiltration may be secondary to the combination of H. pylori infection and chronic gluten ingestion in gluten-sensitive subjects.

Helicobacter pylori infection in children with celiac disease: prevalence and clinicopathologic features

BACKGROUND

Celiac disease is frequently associated with chronic gastritis. Helicobacter pylori is the main etiologic agent of chronic gastritis. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of H. pylori, the related symptoms, and the endoscopic and histologic gastric features in children with celiac disease.

METHODS

Eight-one (24 boys, 57 girls; age range: 1.4-17.7 years, median 6.8) children with celiac disease were studied. All children had a blood sample taken. In a subgroup of 30 children who underwent endoscopy, three gastric biopsy specimens were taken for histology (hematoxylin and eosin, Giemsa, immunohistochemistry) and urease quick test. Symptom complaints were recorded. Age- and sex-matched (one case, one control) children without celiac disease were used for comparison. Serum H. pylori IgG were measured by means of a locally validated commercial enzyme-linked immunoassay.

RESULTS

Overall, 15 of 81 (18.5%) children with celiac disease and 14 of 81 (17.3%) control children were positive for H. pylori. The percentage of H. pylori positivity was similar in children with untreated and treated celiac disease. Recurrent abdominal pain was the only symptom that helped to distinguish between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative children. However, symptoms disappeared in patients with celiac disease after gluten withdrawal, irrespective of H. pylori status. All endoscopic (erythema, nodularity) and histologic (superficial-, interstitial-, lymphocytic-gastritis, activity, lymphoid follicles) findings did not differ between celiac and nonceliac H. pylori-positive children.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence and clinical expressivity of H. pylori infection is not increased in children with celiac disease. The clinicopathologic pattern of the infection is not specifically influenced in this condition.

Lymphocytic gastritis and associated small bowel disease: a diffuse lymphocytic gastroenteropathy?

AIM

To investigate the natural history of lymphocytic gastritis (LG) and its relation to Helicobacter pylori infection and to coeliac disease using serology, duodenal biopsy and a small intestinal permeability test.

METHOD

Twenty two patients diagnosed as having LG between 1984 and 1994 were investigated by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at which gastric and duodenal biopsy specimens were taken for histological assessment and immunohistology. Serum was collected for measurement of anti-H pylori, anti-gliadin and anti-endomysial antibodies. A lactulose/mannitol absorption test was performed within one week of endoscopy. Control groups were studied by histology, serology and permeability tests.

RESULTS

Three patients had been recently diagnosed as having LG while 15 still had the condition after a mean of 13.9 (range two to 38) months. LG involved the antrum alone in three patients, antrum and body in seven, body alone in six, and gastric remnant in two. Gastroduodenal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) were T cells and predominantly of T suppressor (CD8) type. Duodenal IELs were increased compared to age/sex matched controls with chronic gastritis. Four patients had duodenal villous atrophy. Four patients no longer had LG after a mean of 29.3 (10-70) months but had increased gastroduodenal IELs. H pylori was present in four (22%) of 18 patients with LG but H pylori serology was positive in 11 (61%) of 18. There was no difference in seropositivity when compared with age/sex matched controls with dyspepsia. Eleven of 20 patients with LG tested had abnormal lactulose/mannitol absorption (v none of 22 controls with chronic gastritis). Four patients with LG, all with villous atrophy, were seropositive for IgA endomysial antibody.

CONCLUSIONS

The persistence of LG with time, the association with increased duodenal IELs and abnormal small intestinal permeability suggests LG may be a manifestation of a diffuse lymphocytic gastroenteropathy related to sensitivity to gluten or some other agent.

T-cell responses and cellular immunity in coeliac disease

Increasing evidence points to a direct role for T cells in the mediation of the coeliac intestinal lesion. There is good evidence for increased local T-cell reactivity, manifest as increased in T-cell activation in the lamina propria and T-cell proliferation in the epithelial compartment. A likely scenario is that gluten elicits antigen-specific responses by lamina propria T helper cells, probably of the Th1 (inflammatory-mediator) subtype, leading to secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Such cytokines may have direct effects on intestinal enterocytes, as well as mediating indirect effects by upregulation of MHC antigens and by enhancing the activity of cytolytic T cells. Although gluten-specific IEL responses have not been demonstrated by intraepithelial T lymphocytes (IELs), increasing evidence suggests that IELs can act as cytolytic effector cells and hence are likely to exert enteropathic effects under the influence of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Systemic and mucosal humoral responses to Helicobacter pylori in gastric cancer

The systemic IgG response to Helicobacter pylori was examined in 70 patients with gastric cancer. H pylori IgG antibodies were assayed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and serological recognition of H pylori antigens was characterised by western blotting. A percentage of 78.5 were seropositive by ELISA. Two of five patients under age 50 were seronegative. Positivity was unrelated to age, sex, tumour type, or site. Ninety one per cent of ELISA positive cancer patients recognised the H pylori cytotoxin associated 120 kilodalton (kD) protein, significantly more than a control group of 47 ELISA positive patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (72%). Four of 15 ELISA negative cancer patients also showed recognition of this protein in western blots. Mucosal IgA responses to H pylori were examined by immunoblotting supernatants of in vitro cultured resected antral mucosa in an overlapping group of 19 gastric cancer patients. Eighteen had a positive response, including 10 of 11 negative for H pylori by biopsy urease testing. The systemic and local immunoblotting results show that the high seroprevalence of H pylori antibodies detected by ELISA is nevertheless an underestimate of past infection. Dyspepsia screening policies based solely on H pylori ELISA would miss some young patients with gastric cancer. Further study of the relation of the H pylori cytotoxin to gastric precancerous lesions is warranted.