BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori causes gastric inflammation secondary to the mucosal release of cytokines and tumour necrosis factor-alpha. AIMS: To investigate whether serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha correlate with Helicobacter pylori infection, CagA antibodies, 13C-urea breath test results, endoscopic, and histological findings. METHODS: Endoscopy (with gastric biopsies), 13C-urea breath test, and serological assay of CagA antibodies and tumour necrosis factor-alpha were performed in 172 dyspeptic patients. RESULTS: A total of 126 patients (73.2%) were infected; of the 126 patients, 84 with CagA antibodies (66.7%) showed a higher prevalence rate of duodenal ulcer (p = 0.03), more severe neutrophil infiltration (p = 0.03) and higher bacterial colonization (p = 0.03) than those without antibodies. CagA+ and CagA- groups differed also in 13C-urea breath test results (p = 0.03). A significant difference in serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels was observed between infected and uninfected individuals (p = 0.03) as well as between CagA+ and CagA- patients (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with increased serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha. Subjects who harbour CagA positive strains have more severe mucosal damage, higher bacterial colonization, higher probability of developing duodenal ulcer and higher serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha than those infected with CagA- strains.
BACKGROUND:Helicobacter pylori causes gastric inflammation secondary to the mucosal release of cytokines and tumour necrosis factor-alpha. AIMS: To investigate whether serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha correlate with Helicobacter pylori infection, CagA antibodies, 13C-urea breath test results, endoscopic, and histological findings. METHODS: Endoscopy (with gastric biopsies), 13C-urea breath test, and serological assay of CagA antibodies and tumour necrosis factor-alpha were performed in 172 dyspeptic patients. RESULTS: A total of 126 patients (73.2%) were infected; of the 126 patients, 84 with CagA antibodies (66.7%) showed a higher prevalence rate of duodenal ulcer (p = 0.03), more severe neutrophil infiltration (p = 0.03) and higher bacterial colonization (p = 0.03) than those without antibodies. CagA+ and CagA- groups differed also in 13C-urea breath test results (p = 0.03). A significant difference in serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels was observed between infected and uninfected individuals (p = 0.03) as well as between CagA+ and CagA- patients (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS:Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with increased serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha. Subjects who harbour CagA positive strains have more severe mucosal damage, higher bacterial colonization, higher probability of developing duodenal ulcer and higher serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha than those infected with CagA- strains.
Authors: N Figura; L Gennari; D Merlotti; C Lenzi; S Campagna; B Franci; B Lucani; L Trabalzini; L Bianciardi; C Gonnelli; A Santucci; A Nut Journal: Dig Dis Sci Date: 2005-05 Impact factor: 3.199
Authors: N Figura; A Palazzuoli; S Faglia; C Lenzi; F Borrello; V Palazzuoli; R Nami; N Dal Canto; F De Regis; D Vaira; L Gennari; N Giordano; C Gennari Journal: Dig Dis Sci Date: 2002-04 Impact factor: 3.199