The Rate of Helicobacter pylori Seropositivity in a Group of Korean Patients with HLA-B27-Associated Acute Anterior Uveitis

Distribution of human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) in Slovak patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

HLA-B27 is a genetic marker associated with spondyloarthropathies, particularly ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthritis. While its prevalence varies across populations, no data exist for Slovak patients. This study aimed to determine HLA-B27 prevalence in Slovak patients with suspected spondyloarthropathies and assess differences by sex and age.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort of 1,614 patients (888 females and 726 males) was analyzed for HLA-B27 status (positive/negative) using reverse hybridisation (HLA-B27 StripAssay). Statistical analyses included Pearson's Chi-square test and non-parametric Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests for sex- and age-related differences.

RESULTS

HLA-B27 positivity was 20.57%, with a higher proportion in males (23.28%) than females (18.36%, p = 0.0177). The less than 20 age group had the highest absolute number of positive cases (126 cases; 17.80%), while the 21-40 group had the highest relative positivity (119 cases; 29.38%). The lowest positivity was in the more than 61 age group (17 cases; 13.08%), though age distribution differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.7765). Positivity varies across diagnoses, peaking in musculoskeletal (M) and eye disorders (H), where it exceeds 29%.

CONCLUSION

HLA-B27 positivity is strongly associated with rheumatologic and ophthalmologic conditions and exhibits age- and sex-related variability. These findings emphasize the diagnostic significance of HLA-B27 testing in Slovak patients, especially for early detection and management of spondyloarthropathies. Further research on HLA-B27 variability and its clinical implications is needed to optimize diagnostic strategies and patient care.

The association between intestinal microbiome and autoimmune uveitis

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The microbiome is strongly implicated in a wide spectrum of immune-mediated diseases, whereas gut commensal microbiota plays a pivotal role in immune and intestinal homeostasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A thorough literature search was performed in PubMed database. An additional search was made in Google Scholar to complete the collected items.

RESULTS

Due to complex interactions with the host genetics and other factors, intestinal dysbiosis has been linked to various immune-mediated disorders. In particular, the role of intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of uveitis has been demonstrated by several studies, indicating that changes in the microbiome can trigger autoimmune ocular inflammatory processes or affect their severity.

CONCLUSIONS

This review summarizes how alterations in the intestinal microbiota can conduce to immune-mediated ocular pathologies and how microbiome can be targeted in order to form novel therapeutic approaches to treat these severe and potentially blinding conditions.

A positive Helicobacter pylori test is associated with low spondylarthritis incidence in a Danish historical cohort study

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and undifferentiated spondylarthritis (uSpA) are related inflammatory diseases affecting the spine and joints with infections among possible etiological factors. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) may affect the development of inflammatory diseases. Thus, we hypothesized that H. pylori infection affects AS and uSpA development. This cohort study was performed in Denmark with 56,000 patients from primary health care centers who were enrolled when a UBT was performed. They were followed for a median time of 8 years. From nationwide administrative registries, we extracted personal, diagnostic, and treatment information. Prevalence at time of UBT was studied on enrollment using logistic regression and incidence in the follow-up time of 8 years after UBT was studied using Cox regression, comparing H. pylori positive and H. pylori negative patients and adjusting for confounding variables. The prevalence of AS at the time of the UBT was higher among H. pylori positive individuals (OR = 2.00, CI 1.17-3.41), but likely to be linked to confounding as trends disappeared when stratifying for country of birth. The incidence of AS after UBT was lower for individuals who were previously H. pylori positive (OR = 0.23, CI 0.06-0.93). A similar phenomenon was observed for uSpA. As a novel finding, after UBT, the previously H. pylori infected individuals had lower risk of developing AS and uSpA compared to non-infected. This finding may be caused by etiological effects of previous H. pylori infection or unknown confounders. This suggests that H. pylori may somehow be positively involved in the pathogenesis of AS and uSpA.