Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
Rapid Detection of Fecal Antigen of Helicobacter pylori Infection Based on Double Antibody Sandwich Detection Technology
Published on: May 23, 2025
Helicobacter pylori infection is identified as a cardiovascular risk factor in Central Africans
Benjamin Longo-Mbenza1, Jacqueline Nkondi Nsenga, Etienne Mokondjimobe
1Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa. longombenza@gmail.com
Insights
Helicobacter pylori infection is linked to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Eradicating H. pylori may help reduce the burden of CVD, especially in infected individuals and males.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
- This study investigates the role of H. pylori infection as a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the significance of H. pylori infection in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- To assess the association between H. pylori seropositivity, traditional CVD risk factors, and cardiovascular events.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study followed 205 patients (128 H. pylori-seropositive, 77 seronegative) for 10 years.
- Baseline assessment included traditional CVD risk factors, and monthly follow-ups monitored for carotid plaque, angina, myocardial infarction, and stroke.
- Correlations were analyzed between H. pylori IgG antibody levels, male sex, and CVD outcomes within the infected group.
Main Results:
- H. pylori-infected patients exhibited higher carotid intima-media thickness, fibrinogen, total cholesterol, glucose, and uric acid, with lower HDL-cholesterol.
- Higher IgG anti-H. pylori antibody levels correlated with increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.
- H. pylori infection independently predicted carotid plaque and stroke (OR=2.3 and 3.6, respectively).
- Within the infected group, male sex independently predicted angina, stroke, and myocardial infarction (ORs ranging from 3.2 to 7.2).
Conclusions:
- H. pylori infection is associated with traditional CVD risk factors, carotid plaque, and stroke.
- In H. pylori-infected individuals, the severity of infection and male sex are significant predictors of CVD events.
- Eradication of H. pylori infection may offer a strategy to mitigate the growing burden of CVD, particularly in African populations.
Background:
Helicobacter pylori is now incriminated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
Objective:
To examine the importance of H. pylori infection as a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor.
Methods:
Two hundred five patients (128 with H. pylori infection [HP-seropositive] and 77 without) had a baseline assessment for other potential CVD risk factors and were followed prospectively for 10 years (1999-2008). They were assessed on a monthly basis for the outcomes of carotid plaque, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and stroke. In the HP-seropositive group, male sex and quartile 4 for IgG anti-H. pylori antibodies (anti-HP Ab) were correlated with traditional CVD risk factors, stroke, myocardial infarction, and angina pectoris.
Results:
At the baseline assessment, the levels of carotid intima-media thickness, blood fibrinogen, total cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, and uric acid were higher in H. pylori-infected patients than in the uninfected group. Serum HDL-cholesterol was significantly lower in the HP-seropositive group. Men had higher levels of IgG anti-HP Ab, waist circumference, blood pressure, uric acid, and total cholesterol than women. Within the HP-seropositive group, individuals in quartile 4 for IgG anti-HP Ab had higher rates of elevated fibrinogen, diabetes mellitus, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, arterial hypertension, and high total cholesterol than those in quartile 1. After adjusting for traditional CVD risk factors, H. pylori infection was the only independent predictor of incident carotid plaque (multivariate odds ratio [OR] = 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-7.2; P < 0.0001) and incident acute stroke (multivariate OR = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.4-8.2; P < 0.0001). Within the HP-seropositive group and after adjusting for traditional CVD risk factors, male sex was the only independent predictor of incident angina pectoris (multivariate OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.6-16; P < 0.0001), incident acute stroke (multivariate OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.4-28; P < 0.0001), and acute myocardial infarction (multivariate OR = 7.2, 95% CI: 3.1-18; P < 0.0001).
Conclusion:
Our study provides evidence for an association among known CVD risk factors, carotid plaque, stroke, and H. pylori infection. Among infected individuals, there is a significant association among severity of HP-seropositivity, male sex, and CVD. The eradication of H. pylori infection may therefore reduce the emerging burden of CVD in Africa.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Peptic Ulcer
01:26Gastritis II: Pathophysiology
01:30Peptic Ulcer Disease I: Introduction
An acute ulcer, marked by superficial erosion and minimal inflammation, swiftly resolves upon identifying and addressing the underlying cause. In contrast, a chronic ulcer persists, potentially eroding through the muscular wall and forming fibrous tissue.
Peptic ulcers can also be...
01:25Peptic Ulcer Disease I: Introduction
01:22Pathophysiology of Peptic Ulcer Disease: Injurious Factors
In the antrum region, G cells secrete the gastrin hormone that binds to gastrin-cholecystokinin-B (CCK2) receptors on parietal and enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells in the fundic glands. Simultaneously, the vagus nerve releases acetylcholine, which binds to M3...
01:28Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Few clinical manifestations differentiate gastric ulcers from duodenal ulcers. Distinctions in the location, timing, and pain relief are crucial for healthcare providers in differentiating between gastric and duodenal ulcers during clinical assessments.