[Serological profile of Helicobacter pylori infection in the population of San Luis (Argentina)]

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Helicobacter pylori: What May Be the Relationship?

Relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is controversial. We aimed to review the possible relationship between H. pylori infection and GERD. Epidemiological data indicate an inverse relationship between frequency of H. pylori infection and prevalence of GERD and its complications like Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. H. pylori eradication in patients with peptic ulcer disease may be associated with increased risk of development of GERD compared with untreated patients. Infection with cagA bearing strains of H. pylori was associated with less severe GERD including endoscopic esophagitis, possibly due to pangastritis leading to hypochlorhydria. Recent studies on inflammatory markers (IL-1β and IL-1RN) suggest pro-inflammatory genotypes to be protective against development of severe GERD, especially in patients with H. pylori infection. Identification of candidate genes playing an important role in gastric acid secretion and visceral hypersensitivity to the esophageal epithelium might help in early detection of individuals susceptible to develop GERD. Interplay between H. pylori and host factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of GERD.

Seminested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for Detecting Helicobacter pylori DNA in Carotid Atheromas

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the detection of the glmM gene, selected as Helicobacter pylori target sequence, was improved. While performing pathogenicity island cagA gene detection to discriminate pathogenic strains in atherosclerotic carotid samples, several cagA-positive but glmM-negative samples were found. Polymorphisms present in the region amplified in the nested PCR reaction could explain this result; primers were therefore designed to perform a seminested reaction; this modification optimized sensitivity while maintaining specificity. A real-time PCR for Helicobacter DNA detection was also setup. The combination of all 4 PCR reactions detected 83% of H. pylori DNA-positive samples in atherosclerotic carotid tissue, 64% of which were cagA gene positive.