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Published on: November 21, 2014

Association of Helicobacter pylori infection with systemic inflammation in preeclampsia

Yusuf UstUn1, Yaprak Engin-UstUn, Esra Ozkaplan

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey. ustunyus@yahoo.com

The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine : the Official Journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians
|March 13, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Preeclamptic women show higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Seropositivity to Helicobacter pylori is linked to these elevated inflammatory markers in preeclampsia.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure.
  • Inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) are implicated in preeclampsia pathogenesis.
  • The role of infections, such as Helicobacter pylori, in preeclampsia requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare levels of CRP, TNF-alpha, Chlamydia pneumoniae antibodies, and Helicobacter pylori antibodies between preeclamptic and normal pregnant women.
  • To determine if Helicobacter pylori seropositivity correlates with elevated CRP and TNF-alpha levels in preeclampsia.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 40 preeclamptic and 40 normotensive pregnant women in their third trimester.
  • Measurement of serum CRP, TNF-alpha, Chlamydia pneumoniae IgM/IgG, and plasma Helicobacter pylori IgA.

Main Results:

  • Significantly higher concentrations of CRP and TNF-alpha were observed in preeclamptic women compared to controls.
  • Helicobacter pylori IgA positivity rate was significantly higher in the preeclamptic group (p = 0.034).
  • CRP and TNF-alpha levels were elevated in subjects seropositive for Helicobacter pylori.

Conclusions:

  • Preeclamptic women exhibit elevated serum CRP and TNF-alpha levels.
  • Seropositivity to Helicobacter pylori is associated with higher CRP and TNF-alpha levels in preeclamptic women, suggesting a potential link between this infection and preeclampsia-related inflammation.
Abstract

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