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Helicobacter pylori infection as a protective factor against multiple sclerosis risk in females
Marzena J Fabis Pedrini1, Alexandra Seewann2, Kirsten A Bennett1
1Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, Western Australian Neuroscience Research Institute, The University of Western Australia, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Australia.
Background:
In recent years, a relationship between Helicobacter pylori and many disease conditions has been reported, however, studies in its relationship with multiple sclerosis (MS) have had contradictory results.
Objective:
To determine the association between the H. pylori infection and MS.
Methods:
550 patients with MS were included in the study and were matched by gender and year of birth to 299 controls. Patients were assessed for clinical and demographic parameters. An enzyme immunoassay was used to detect the presence of specific IgG antibodies against H. pylori in the serum sample of both groups.
Results:
H. pylori seropositivity was found to be lower in the patients with MS than in controls (16% vs 21%) with the decrease pertaining to females (14% vs 22%, p=0.027) but not males (19% vs 20%, p=1.0). When adjusted for age at onset, year of birth and disease duration, H. pylori seropositive females presented with a lower disability score than seronegative females (p=0.049), while among males the reverse was true (p=0.025). There was no significant association between H. pylori seropositivity and relapse rate.
Conclusions:
Our results could reflect a protective role of H. pylori in the disease development. However, it may be that H. pylori infection is a surrogate marker for the 'hygiene hypothesis', a theory which postulates that early life infections are essential to prime the immune system and thus prevent allergic and autoimmune conditions later in life. The fact that the association between H. pylori seropositivity and MS risk was seen almost exclusively in females requires further investigation.
Insights
Helicobacter pylori infection may have a protective effect against multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly in females. Lower seropositivity was observed in MS patients, suggesting a potential role in disease prevention.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Microbiome-host interactions
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Growing evidence links Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection to various diseases.
- Previous studies on the association between H. pylori and multiple sclerosis (MS) have yielded conflicting results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential association between H. pylori infection and the risk of developing multiple sclerosis.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 550 MS patients and 299 matched controls.
- H. pylori specific IgG antibodies were detected in serum using enzyme immunoassay.
- Clinical and demographic data were collected for all participants.
Main Results:
- H. pylori seropositivity was lower in MS patients (16%) compared to controls (21%).
- This trend was significant in females (14% vs 22%, p=0.027) but not in males (19% vs 20%, p=1.0).
- Among females, H. pylori seropositivity correlated with lower disability scores; the opposite was observed in males.
Conclusions:
- H. pylori infection might play a protective role in MS development, potentially linked to the 'hygiene hypothesis'.
- The observed association was predominantly in females, warranting further investigation.
- The findings suggest H. pylori could be a surrogate marker for immune system priming against autoimmune diseases.
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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.