Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026
Retinal and Choroidal Thickness Changes in Populations with Helicobacter pylori Infection by Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: November 1, 2024
A neglected cause for chronic spontaneous urticaria in children: Helicobacter pylori
A Z Akelma1, M N Cizmeci2, E Mete1
1Division of Pediatric Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, Turgut Ozal University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Helicobacter pylori infection is common in children with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CU), especially those over eight. Screening and treatment for H. pylori may help manage CU in children and adults.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Pediatric Allergy
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CU) is often idiopathic.
- Research on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) prevalence in pediatric CU is limited.
- Guidelines for H. pylori investigation in CU patients are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of H. pylori infection in pediatric and adult patients with CU.
- To determine the correlation between H. pylori infection and clinical symptoms.
- To evaluate the efficacy of H. pylori eradication therapy on CU symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, randomized study of pediatric and adult CU patients.
- H. pylori antigen testing using stool samples.
- Reassessment of patients after H. pylori eradication therapy.
Main Results:
- H. pylori was found in 31.2% of children and 51.4% of adults with CU.
- H. pylori infection showed a significant positive correlation with age in children (p<0.001).
- Urticarial symptom recovery was observed in 100% of children and 83.3% of adults post-eradication.
Conclusions:
- H. pylori is prevalent in children with CU, particularly those over eight years old.
- Routine H. pylori screening is recommended for CU patients with unknown etiology, regardless of gastrointestinal symptoms.
- H. pylori eradication therapy can be effective in treating CU.
Background:
The aetiology of chronic urticaria is usually considered idiopathic. There is a paucity of research both on the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in the aetiology of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CU) in children and also on which patients H. pylori should be investigated.
Methods:
All paediatric and adult patients who presented to the allergy outpatient clinic due to CU between January 2011 and July 2012 were included in this prospective, randomised study. Stool samples from all patients were examined for the H. pylori antigen. Paediatric and adult patients who had a positive stool test for the H. pylori antigen were reassessed following eradication therapy.
Results:
Thirty-two children with CU and 35 adults with CU were enrolled in the study. Ten of the 32 (31.2%) children and 18 of the 35 (51.4%) adults were H. pylori positive (p=0.09). All children with positive-H. pylori were older than eight years of age. There was a significant positive correlation between age and the frequency of H. pylori infection (p<0.001; r=0.61). The presence of H. pylori was not significantly associated with the presence of GI (gastrointestinal) symptoms (p>0.05). Following H. pylori eradication, urticarial symptoms recovered in 15 of the adults (83.3%) and 10 of the paediatric (100%) patients (p=0.172).
Conclusion:
In the current study we found that H. pylori is common among children with CU, particularly after eight years of age. We suggest that CU patients with an unknown aetiology should be routinely screened for H. pylori even if they do not present with GI symptoms and that those with H. pylori-positive results may receive treatment.
More Related Videos
05:23Gastric Mucosa Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis for Detecting Helicobacter pylori and Antibiotic Resistance
Published on: March 7, 2025
10:44One-step Negative Chromatographic Purification of Helicobacter pylori Neutrophil-activating Protein Overexpressed in Escherichia coli in Batch Mode
Published on: June 18, 2016
Related Concept Videos
01:27Peptic Ulcer
01:26Gastritis II: Pathophysiology
01:17Gastritis-II: Pathophysiology
In acute gastritis, the gastric mucosa becomes swollen and red and undergoes superficial erosion. Superficial ulceration may lead to bleeding.
In chronic gastritis, persistent or repeated insults lead to chronic inflammatory changes and, eventually, thinning or atrophy of the gastric tissue.
Gastritis can stem from various causes, each...
01:24Peptic Ulcer Disease II: Pathophysiology
01:28Peptic Ulcer Disease II: Pathophysiology
Damaging agents such as Helicobacter pylori, gastric acid, pepsin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can weaken the mucosal defense, allowing hydrogen ions to infiltrate back and harm epithelial cells.
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...