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CagA positivity and its association with gastroduodenal disease in Turkish children undergoing endoscopic

Semra Sökücü1, Ayşe Tülin Ozden, Ozlem Durmaz Süoğlu

  • 1Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Istanbul School of Medicine, Istanbul University, Capa, 34390, Istanbul, Turkey.

Journal of Gastroenterology
|July 27, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) positivity is common in Helicobacter pylori (HP) infected Turkish children. CagA-positive strains were linked to less esophagitis, but not duodenal ulcers in this pediatric group.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is a significant cause of pediatric gastrointestinal disease.
  • The cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) protein is a key virulence factor in HP.
  • Host and bacterial factors interact to determine disease outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency of CagA-positive HP strains in Turkish children.
  • To evaluate the association between CagA positivity and clinical symptoms.
  • To assess the link between CagA positivity and mucosal lesions in HP-infected children.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective clinical trial involving 240 Turkish children undergoing endoscopy.
  • HP infection diagnosed via rapid urease test and histology.
  • HP and CagA IgG antibodies measured by ELISA in HP-positive children.

Main Results:

  • HP positivity rate was 50.4%; CagA positivity was 74.4% among infected children.
  • HP infection was less frequent in children with vomiting (P < 0.05).
  • Antral nodularity strongly associated with HP and CagA positivity (P < 0.05); esophagitis negatively associated with CagA positivity (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • CagA positivity is prevalent in Turkish children with HP infection.
  • Esophageal lesions are less common in children infected with CagA-positive HP strains.
  • CagA positivity did not appear to contribute to duodenal ulcer development in this pediatric cohort.
Abstract

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