The immunohistochemistry profile of lymphocytic gastritis in celiac disease and helicobacter pylori infection: interplay between infection and inflammation

Prevalence of Esophageal Eosinophilia, Eosinophilic Esophagitis, and Lymphocytic Gastritis in Children with Celiac Disease: A Saudi Tertiary Center Experience

Background

Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated enteropathy that has been associated with other immune-related gastrointestinal disorders, such as eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and lymphocytic gastritis (LG). To our knowledge, this is the first study in Saudi Arabia that has described such an association.

Aim

To evaluate the prevalence of EoE and LG in children and adolescents with CD.

Methods

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of all pediatric patients (aged 0-18 years) with CD following up at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, between January, 2014, and December, 2021. The study examined clinical, demographic, endoscopic, and histopathological data.

Results

Seventy-five patients with CD were included in the analysis. The median age was 12 years (range, 2-18 years). Male constituted 54.7% of the overall cohort (n = 41). The most common clinical symptoms were short stature (54.7%), weight loss (34.7%), abdominal pain (33.3%), abdominal distension (29.3%), anorexia (29.3%), diarrhea (24%), and vomiting (21.3%). The esophageal biopsy results reported were basal cell hyperplasia in 24 patients (32.9%), esophageal eosinophilia in 23 patients (31.5%), and EoE in 3 patients (4.1%). The gastric biopsy results were normal in 40 patients (53.3%). The most common abnormality was chronic inactive gastritis with no Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection (16%). LG was found in 3 patients (4%).

Conclusions

The prevalence of EoE in this cohort of patients with CD was lower than the prevalence recorded in a number of other studies. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of a gluten-free diet (GFD) on EOE and LG.

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.

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.

Subtypes of chronic gastritis in patients with celiac disease before and after gluten-free diet

BACKGROUND

Celiac disease (CD) often manifests with dyspeptic symptoms and chronic gastritis is a common finding.

AIM

To evaluate the frequency of lymphocytic gastritis (LG), chronic active gastritis (CAG), and chronic inactive gastritis (CIG) in patients with CD, before and after gluten-free diet (GFD).

METHODS

A five-year prospective study including all consecutive patients with a new diagnosis of CD was conducted. Gastric and duodenal biopsy specimens taken both at the time of the CD diagnosis and at the first endoscopic control after 18-24 months on GFD were evaluated.

RESULTS

213 patients with CD were enrolled. At the time of the diagnosis, 42 patients (19.7%) showed normal gastric mucosa, 34 (15.9%) LG, 67 (31.5%) CAG, and 70 (32.9%) CIG. Out of the 34 patients with LG, all were Helicobacter pylori negative and the majority of them showed an improvement both of gastritis (94.1%) and duodenal lesions (82.3%) after GFD. GFD did not show significant effects on CAG and CIG.

CONCLUSIONS

LG is present in 16% of CD patients, it is not associated with H. pylori infection, and it improves after GFD. Both CAG and CIG are also frequently associated with CD, but fail to respond to a GFD.

Microbes and Viruses Are Bugging the Gut in Celiac Disease. Are They Friends or Foes?

The links between microorganisms/viruses and autoimmunity are complex and multidirectional. A huge number of studies demonstrated the triggering impact of microbes and viruses as the major environmental factors on the autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. However, growing evidences suggest that infectious agents can also play a protective role or even abrogate these processes. This protective crosstalk between microbes/viruses and us might represent a mutual beneficial equilibrium relationship between two cohabiting ecosystems. The protective pathways might involve post-translational modification of proteins, decreased intestinal permeability, Th1 to Th2 immune shift, induction of apoptosis, auto-aggressive cells relocation from the target organ, immunosuppressive extracellular vesicles and down regulation of auto-reactive cells by the microbial derived proteins. Our analysis demonstrates that the interaction of the microorganisms/viruses and celiac disease (CD) is always a set of multidirectional processes. A deeper inquiry into the CD interplay with Herpes viruses and Helicobacter pylori demonstrates that the role of these infections, suggested to be potential CD protectors, is not as controversial as for the other infectious agents. The outcome of these interactions might be due to a balance between these multidirectional processes.

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.

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.

Lymphocytic gastritis is not associated with active Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND

Lymphocytic gastritis (LG), characterized by marked intra-epithelial lymphocytosis in the gastric mucosa, has been frequently associated with both celiac disease (CD) and H. pylori gastritis. The aim of this study was to review and correlate the morphology of LG with the presence of CD and H. pylori.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gastric biopsies diagnosed with LG from 1/1/2006 to 8/1/2013 at our institution and corresponding small bowel biopsies, when available, were reviewed for verification of the diagnosis and to assess for the presence of H. pylori and CD. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for H. pylori was performed on all gastric biopsies. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were obtained from the medical record.

RESULTS

Fifty-four of the 56 cases that met inclusion criteria demonstrated significant intra-epithelial lymphocytosis as the predominant histologic abnormality; however, none were associated with H. pylori infection by IHC staining. Two cases that also showed a prominent intra-epithelial and lamina propria neutrophilic infiltrate were both positive for H. pylori and were excluded from further study. Of the 36 small bowel biopsies available, 19 (53%) showed changes in CD.

CONCLUSIONS

LG is not a distinct clinicopathologic entity, but a morphologic pattern of gastric injury that can be secondary to a variety of underlying etiologies. When restricted to cases with lymphocytosis alone, LG is strongly associated with CD and not with active H. pylori infection. However, cases that also show significant neutrophilic infiltrate should be regarded as "active chronic gastritis" and are often associated with H. pylori infection. A morphologic diagnosis of LG should prompt clinical and serologic workup to exclude underlying CD.

Helicobacter pylori Associated Lymphocytic Gastritis in a Child

Lymphocytic gastritis (LG) is a rare subtype of chronic gastritis. It is defined as dense proliferation of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) more than 25 lymphocytes per 100 epithelial cells. The known major causes of LG are celiac disease and Helicobacter pylori infection. H. pylori associated LG (HpLG) has more enhanced cytotoxic and apoptotic tendencies than chronic H. pylori gastritis. A 12-year-old girl with postprandial epigastric pain was diagnosed HpLG on endoscopic biopsy. After the 1st eradication therapy, H. pylori bacilli were still found, and urea breathing test was positive. Although the endoscopic finding was partially improved, clinical symptoms and histologic finding were persisted. We could achieve the improvement of clinical symptoms and disappearance of IELs after the 2nd eradication. The discordant of histopathologic and endoscopic improvement occurred after the 1st eradication therapy of HpLG. Therefore the clinical and histopathologic evaluation should be considered as well as endoscopic findings.

A novel algorithm for the diagnosis of celiac disease and a comprehensive review of celiac disease diagnostics

There is an urgent clinical need for a better laboratory celiac disease diagnosis with both less false positive results and minimal underdetection. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance and diagnostic accuracy of different assays in an outpatient population setting for the diagnosis for celiac disease (CD) in order to design an optimal algorithm. We used 15 different ELISA assays to assess 47 blood samples of newly diagnosed children (positive biopsy results) and 52 samples from age- and sex-matched children with negative biopsy results for CD. Scoring criteria were established for grading the assays performance and characteristics. The combined gliadin and tTG assays exhibited the best sensitivity (100%). The addition of other assays to the CeliCheck neo-epitopes assay improved specificity so that the final algorithm had 100% sensitivity, 96.2% specificity, and 98.1% accuracy. The clinical demand for both maximal sensitivity and maximal specificity cannot be achieved with a single test. Using a combination of a sensitive assay together with specific assays improved celiac disease detection rates, with an acceptable number of false positive results. This model, however, needs to be confirmed prospectively in both children and adults.

Lymphocytic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract: a review for the practicing pathologist

Increased numbers of intraepithelial lymphocytes (lymphocytosis) can be found in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon in a variety of clinical circumstances. This review, directed at practicing pathologists, portrays the normal resident lymphocyte population in the mucosa of each segment of the digestive tract and discusses the different situations that may result in quantitative or qualitative alterations of intraepithelial lymphocytes. Esophageal lymphocytosis has not been fully characterized and its clinical significance, if any, awaits definition. Thus, this diagnosis is presently discouraged. In the stomach, it is particularly important to exclude Helicobacter pylori infection and celiac sprue before diagnosing lymphocytic gastritis. Duodenal lymphocytic infiltrates, inextricably tied with alterations of the villous architecture of the mucosa, are often caused by gluten sensitivity. However, similar morphologic changes may be caused by a vast array of other conditions that must be carefully considered and excluded. Lymphocytic and collagenous colitis are most often unexplained, but their frequent association with autoimmune conditions or certain medications deserve a thorough investigation in each case. Using a combination of histologic and clinical clues, a cause for the intraepithelial lymphocytic infiltration can be identified in many instances. As some of the associated conditions are amenable to effective treatment, the importance of diligently seeking such associations before resorting to a diagnosis of primary lymphocytosis is emphasized.