Consideration of Helicobacter pylori infection in childhood: Immune response, endoscopic and morphological findings

Abstract

Seventy‐five children (aged 9–14 years) infected with Helicobacter pylori were studied endoscopically and morphologically for the signs of infection and immune response by ELISA technique (total IgE and specific IgG against H. pylori); a control group of 36 children (not infected with H. pylori) were studied simultaneously. Helicobacter pylori positive children examined endoscopically revealed a number of mucous membrane changes including erythema, erosions, lymphoid nodular hyperplasia and ulcers. Gastritis was confirmed by histology in 58 children; 6% were termed ‘active’, others were ‘non‐active’. When studying the concentrations of anti‐H. pylori IgG in children from the control group they were considered to be seronegative but in children infected with H. pylori a considerable increase was noted. An evaluation of the interaction between anti‐H. pylori IgG titers and age, endoscopic signs and histology was carried out. Suppositions were made about the presence of links between these characteristics. Children with H. pylori infection showed a considerable increase of total IgE titers in comparison with the control group. The role of IgG and IgE in the development of chronic gastroduodenal diseases associated with H. pylori is discussed.

Mast cells and IgE‐containing cells in gastric mucosa of Helicobacter pylori infected and non‐infected patients with chronic urticaria

“…found H. pylori‐ specific IgE bound to blood basophils in 84% of patients with H. pylori infection and serum‐specific IgE in 69%. Studenikin et al 6 . showed, in their study, a considerable increase of total serum IgE titres in children with H. pylori infection compared with the controls.…”

“…Chronic infection with H. pylori normally causes production of specific IgM, IgG and IgA class antibodies. More recently, increases in non‐specific IgE levels as well as in production of specific IgE antibodies against H. pylori have also been detected, suggesting that IgE might contribute to extraintestinal symptoms associated with H. pylori 5–8 …”

Helicobacter pylori Infection and Recurrent Abdominal Pain in Turkish Children

“…Helicobacter pylori can be a causative agent of duodenal ulcer disease in children as well as in adults [13,14]. However, the relationship between H. pylori infection and gastroduodenal complaints in children is less clear.…”

Enterotoxin-Specific Immunoglobulin E Responses in Humans after Infection or Vaccination with Diarrhea-Causing Enteropathogens

“…Further, immunization against diphtheria and tetanus in adults has been shown to result in specific IgE responses (2). In Helicobacter pylori-infected children, an increase in IgE antibody levels has also been observed (28). Patients infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis had increased levels of total IgE in sera as well as ascaris-specific IgE responses (1).…”