Autoantibody production in chronic idiopathic urticaria is not associated with Helicobacter pylori infection

Abstract

Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is a dermatological syndrome, characterized by raised erythematous skin lesions, that affects 20% of the general population and has been associated with autoimmunity. However, some reports have also suggested a close relationship between CIU and Helicobacter pylori infection, which is endemic in developing countries and associated with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric carcinoma. In the present study, we investigated the occurrence of autoantibodies in sera from 23 CIU subjects infected with H. pylori and from 23 CIU subjects without this infection. The presence of anti-thyroid antibodies was determined by indirect hemagglutination assay and the presence of autoantibodies to IgE and C1INH was determined by ELISA. Antibodies to thyroid antigens were detected at low titers from 100 to 400 in three of 23 (13%) CIU-infected subjects and in four of 23 (17%) CIU-noninfected subjects. The titers of anti-IgE autoantibodies were similar in these CIU groups, presenting absorbances of 1.16 ± 0.09 and 1.07 ± 0.16, respectively, while a titer of 1.14 ± 0.15 was detected in the healthy control group. The concentration of anti-C1INH autoantibodies was the same in the CIU-infected and -noninfected subjects (7.28 ± 1.31 and 7.91 ± 2.45 ng/ml, respectively), and was 7.20 ± 2.25 ng/ml in the healthy control group. However, the serum levels of complexed anti-C1INH antibodies were increased in CIU-infected subjects compared to CIU-noninfected subjects and healthy controls with an absorbance of 1.51 ± 0.21 vs 1.36 ± 0.16 and 1.26 ± 0.23, respectively (P < 0.05), indicating an impaired clearance of immune complexes in CIUinfected patients. In conclusion, no correlation was observed between H. pylori infection and autoantibody production in CIU patients consistent with reports of clinical studies.

Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with chronic urticaria: correlation with pathologic findings in gastric biopsies

“…In the current study, the prevalence of H. pylori within our control subjects was 40%, lower than that recorded for other developing countries, e.g. 70% in Brazil 1 . It was also lower than that recorded for Egypt, which was reported to be 88% in the newborn 23 and 72.6% in schoolchildren 14 .…”

“…70% in Brazil. 1 It was also lower than that recorded for Egypt, which was reported to be 88% in the newborn 23 and 72.6% in schoolchildren. 14 Our findings could be a result of the small number of control subjects who underwent endoscopy, factors related to selection bias, and differences in the socioeconomic standard, together with the absence of age Percentage values are given in parentheses.…”

“…Chronic urticaria is a persistent urticaria lasting longer than 6 weeks 1 . It affects 20% of the general population 2 .…”

“…Chronic urticaria is a persistent urticaria lasting longer than 6 weeks. 1 It affects 20% of the general population. 2 There are numerous causes of chronic urticaria and, without their identification and correction, patients may not improve or may be dependent on medications for symptomatic relief for many years.…”

Relación entre infección por Helicobacter pylori y urticaria crónica

“…Todos los pacientes en la investigación presentaron serología positiva, Marcano-Lozada MJ et al, 11 en Venezuela, reportaron que 100 % de su muestra fue positiva a H. pylori; no así Cuevas AMT et al, 10 quienes identificaron que 60 % de los pacientes con urticaria crónica resultó positivo, pero igual es importante considerar el incremento de la infección por H. pylori en los pacientes que sufren urticaria crónica. 12,13 La infección por H. pylori induce una respuesta local y sistémica, en la primera se involucra la inmunoglobulina A (IgA) y en la segunda la IgG. Esta información ha permitido el desarrollo de métodos serológicos para la detección de esta bacteria, como el inmunoanálisis, del cual el método de ELISA el más sensible y utilizado con este fin.…”