Bahadori Ali1, De Witte Chloë2, Agin Mehmet3, De Bruyckere Sofie2, Smet Annemieke2,4, Tümgör Gökhan3, Güven Gökmen Tülin5, Haesebrouck Freddy2, Köksal Fatih6. 1. Department of Medical Microbiology, Sarab Faculty of Medical Sciences, Sarab, Iran. 2. Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium. 3. Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey. 4. Laboratoria of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium. 5. Department of Microbiology, Ceyhan Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey. 6. Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Infections with gastric Helicobacter spp. are associated with gastritis, peptic ulceration, and malignancies. Helicobacter pylori is the most prevalent Helicobacter species colonizing the human stomach. Other gastric non-H. pylori helicobacters (NHPHs) have been described in 0.2%-6% of human patients with gastric disorders. Nevertheless, due to difficulties in the diagnosis of NHPH infections and lack of routine screening, this is most likely an underestimation of their true prevalence. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have been performed in the presence of Helicobacter spp. in children suffering from gastric disorders in Southern Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 110 children with gastric complaints were examined at the Cukurova University Balcali hospital, Turkey. Gastroscopy was performed to evaluate the presence of gastric mucosal lesions. Biopsies of the pyloric gland zone were taken for histopathological analysis, rapid urease testing, and presence of Helicobacter spp. DNA by PCR. RESULTS: Based on the PCR results, the prevalence of Helicobacter spp. was 32.7% (36/110). H. pylori was found in 30.9% (34/110), H. suis in 1.8% (2/110), and H. heilmannii/H. ailurogastricus in 0.9% (1/110) of the human patients. A mixed infection with H. pylori and H. suis was present in one patient. The presence of mucosal abnormalities, such as nodular inflammation, ulceration, and hyperemia, as well as gastritis, was significantly higher in Helicobacter spp. positive patients. CONCLUSION: Helicobacter pylori, H. suis, and H. heilmannii/H. ailurogastricus were present in children with gastric complaints. Infection with these pathogens may be involved in the development of gastritis and ulceration.
BACKGROUND: Infections with gastric Helicobacter spp. are associated with gastritis, peptic ulceration, and malignancies. Helicobacter pylori is the most prevalent Helicobacter species colonizing the human stomach. Other gastric non-H. pylori helicobacters (NHPHs) have been described in 0.2%-6% of humanpatients with gastric disorders. Nevertheless, due to difficulties in the diagnosis of NHPH infections and lack of routine screening, this is most likely an underestimation of their true prevalence. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have been performed in the presence of Helicobacter spp. in children suffering from gastric disorders in Southern Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 110 children with gastric complaints were examined at the Cukurova University Balcali hospital, Turkey. Gastroscopy was performed to evaluate the presence of gastric mucosal lesions. Biopsies of the pyloric gland zone were taken for histopathological analysis, rapid urease testing, and presence of Helicobacter spp. DNA by PCR. RESULTS: Based on the PCR results, the prevalence of Helicobacter spp. was 32.7% (36/110). H. pylori was found in 30.9% (34/110), H. suis in 1.8% (2/110), and H. heilmannii/H. ailurogastricus in 0.9% (1/110) of the humanpatients. A mixed infection with H. pylori and H. suis was present in one patient. The presence of mucosal abnormalities, such as nodular inflammation, ulceration, and hyperemia, as well as gastritis, was significantly higher in Helicobacter spp. positive patients. CONCLUSION:Helicobacter pylori, H. suis, and H. heilmannii/H. ailurogastricus were present in children with gastric complaints. Infection with these pathogens may be involved in the development of gastritis and ulceration.