Relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and celiac disease: a cross-sectional study and a brief review of the literature

Abstract

IntroductionWhether Helicobacter pylori triggers celiac disease (CD) or protects against CD is currently the subject of research. In the literature, there are epidemiologic studies that have reported conflicting results regarding the association between H. pylori and CD.AimTo compare the prevalence of CD autoantibody positivity and the levels of CD autoantibodies between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative subjects.Material and methodsThis study was prospectively designed and included 240 dyspeptic patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with gastric and duodenal biopsies. The patients were divided into two groups according to presence of H. pylori infection. The serum levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) A, tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTGA; IgA and IgG classes), and anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA; IgA and IgG classes) were measured for all participants by a blinded biochemistry expert.ResultsThere were no significant differences in the serum levels of CD autoantibodies or IgA between the two groups. There were also no significant differences in the percentages of subjects with positive CD serologies or subjects with IgA deficiencies between the groups.ConclusionsHelicobacter pylori remains one of the bacterial species that is most likely to trigger autoimmunity. However, studies have failed to reveal a relationship between H. pylori and CD; thus, additional basic work on the immunological aspects of the microbial-host interactions and longitudinal studies enrolling patients at very early stages of the disease may help us to address this issue.

Prevalence and characteristics of celiac disease in South African patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: Results from the Durban Diabetes and Celiac Disease Study

“…The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori identified in gastric biopsies was 61.9%; however, no association with CD was observed in this study. Helicobacter pylori is a known cause of lymphocytic duodenitis, but its role in CD remains controversial . Further studies are required to evaluate the possible modulation of Helicobacter pylori infection on the development and severity of CD.…”

“…Helicobacter pylori is a known cause of lymphocytic duodenitis, but its role in CD remains controversial. 32,33 Further studies are required to evaluate the possible modulation of Helicobacter pylori infection on the development and severity of CD.…”

Effects of Helicobacter Pylori Infection on Serology and Intestinal Mucosal Changes in Pediatric Patients With Celiac Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Study

“…Helicobacter pylori (HP) is one of the rare infectious agents associated with the development of various autoimmune disorders as well as causes some gastroduodenal disorders such as chronic gastritis, duodenal ulcers, and adenocarcinoma [1]. Celiac disease (CD) is a common autoimmune disorder of the gut triggered by gluten.…”

Analysis of gastric and duodenal biopsy results in patients presenting with dyspepsia: a cross-sectional study in a middle eastern population

“…Unfortunately, the prevalence of CD is difficult to assess in the absence of well-defined criteria. However, many different studies, with some variations in the diagnostic criteria, showed similar results with a prevalence of CD varying between 1% and 5% 16–21…”

“…In the literature, a study done by Lebwohl et al found that H. pylori infection was lower in CD positive patients than in those without CD 17. Many other studies found similar H. pylori infection rates among individuals with and without CD, with one showing the presence of variations in CD’s histological damage depending on the H. pylori strain 18 29. No difference between gender and between ages was found in the literature 17–25 27–30…”