Helicobacter Pylori, Active Chronic Antral Gastritis, and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Alcoholics

Abstract

The frequency of Helocobacter pylori (Hp.) infection and active chronic antral gastritis among people with excessive alcohol consumption is not known. A high alcohol intake regularly causes acute gastroduodenitis. In this study, the prevalence of Hp. infection and active chronic antral gastritis in alcoholics compared with nonalcoholic controls was studied. Further, the frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms was registered. Diagnostic methods for Hp. were compared. Twenty-four alcoholics admitted to the hospital for detoxification underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy regardless of symptoms. Twelve individuals admitted to upper endoscopy mainly for dyspepsia, with low alcohol consumption and without gross pathology by upper endoscopy, were chosen as controls. Three diagnostic methods for Hp. were used: culture, direct microscopy, and histology. Hp. infection was found in 7 of the 24 alcoholics (29%) according to culture. In controls, 4 of 12 (33%) had a positive Hp. culture. In the alcoholic group, culture was more sensitive than histology. There was a good correlation between the different diagnostic methods in the control group. Histologically active chronic antral gastritis was found in 6 of the alcoholics (25%) and in 5 of the controls (42%). Five of the 7 Hp.-positive alcoholics and all of the Hp.-positive controls had an active chronic antral gastritis. Hp. infection is not more frequent in alcoholics than in controls. In both groups, there was a good correlation between Hp. infection and histologically, active chronic antral gastritis.

Alcohol or Gut Microbiota: Who Is the Guilty?

“…Changes in gut microbiota due to the alcohol misuse have been suggested as a key factor in the development of ALD and alcohol-related morbidity and they have been largely explored in several studies [30,31,32,39,40,41,42,43,44,45]. In particular, chronic alcohol overconsumption favors small intestinal malabsorption and modification of colonic bacteria balance, altering also gut microbiota metabolism, as it has been previously demonstrated by Steinar Traae Bjørkhaug and colleagues by using the d -xylose breath test [46].…”

Prevalence and Pathogenesis of Duodenal Ulcer in Chronic Alcoholic Pancreatitis

“…Nevertheless, nowadays it is being recognized that Helicobacter pylori infection is a major cause of DU. 14,15 Although the prevalence of H. pylori infection in alcoholic patients is similar to that of control patients, 16 few studies have evaluated the prevalence of this pathogen in chronic alcoholic pancreatitis (CAP). 17,18 Additionally, only one study 17 tried to ascertain whether H. pylori infection is a contributing factor in pathogenesis of DU found in patients with CP.…”

Review article: alcohol and gut microbiota ‐ the possible role of gut microbiota modulation in the treatment of alcoholic liver disease

“…29 The same group of researchers have already demonstrated that the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection did not differ between alcoholic patients and controls. 30 This result was confirmed by Buz as in a larger sample study 31 Casafont Morencos and colleagues compared 89 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and 40 healthy subjects to assess the prevalence of intestinal bacterial overgrowth by H2-glucose breath test. Intestinal bacterial overgrowth was documented approximately in one-third of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis while in none of the healthy subjects.…”