Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 18, 2025
Retinal and Choroidal Thickness Changes in Populations with Helicobacter pylori Infection by Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: November 1, 2024
Associations of Helicobacter pylori seropositivity and gastric inflammation with pediatric asthma
Nael Elias1,2, Elias Nasrallah1, Camelia Khoury1
1Department of Pediatrics, Saint Vincent de Paul-French Hospital, Nazareth, Israel.
Insights
Helicobacter pylori infection may protect children against asthma. Gastric inflammation associated with H. pylori was linked to a lower likelihood of pediatric asthma, suggesting a potential protective role.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious diseases
Background:
- The relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and childhood asthma remains controversial.
- H. pylori seroprevalence and gastric inflammation markers like pepsinogen (PG) levels are investigated for their association with asthma risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the hypotheses of inverse associations between H. pylori infection markers and pediatric asthma.
- To investigate the role of H. pylori seroprevalence and gastric inflammation in the risk of childhood asthma.
Main Methods:
- A hospital-based case-control study in Israel involving 75 asthma cases and 160 controls aged 4.8–17.3 years.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to measure H. pylori IgG antibodies, IgG to CagA, and serum PG levels.
- Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to analyze the data, controlling for potential confounders.
Main Results:
- H. pylori IgG seropositivity was lower in asthma cases (25%) compared to controls (40%).
- H. pylori CagA IgG seropositivity was significantly associated with a reduced risk of asthma (adjusted OR, 0.33).
- Children with H. pylori seropositivity and severe gastric inflammation (PGI:PGII ≤6.78) showed a lower likelihood of asthma (adjusted OR, 0.31).
Conclusions:
- H. pylori infection and associated gastric inflammation may play a protective role against pediatric asthma.
- Further research is warranted to explore the potential causal pathway between H. pylori and asthma risk.
Objective:
Controversy exists regarding an association between Helicobacter pylori infection and asthma in children. We examined the hypotheses of inverse associations of H. pylori seroprevalence and pepsinogen (PG) levels, as markers of gastric inflammation, with asthma in children.
Methods:
A hospital-based case-control study was conducted among children aged 4.8 to 17.3 years in Israel. Confirmed asthma cases (n = 75) were recruited through a pulmonary clinic, and controls (n = 160) without asthma were enrolled. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays we measured the presence of H. pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, IgG antibodies to cytotoxin-associated gene A antigen (CagA) (virulent factor), serum PG levels and exposure to other enteric pathogens (Shigella flexneri). Multivariable logistic regression models were applied.
Results:
H. pylori IgG seropositivity was 25% and 40% among cases and controls, respectively (P = .03). H. pylori CagA IgG seropositivity was associated with reduced risk of asthma (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.33 [95% CI, 0.11-0.95] but not for the CagA negative serology (adjusted OR, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.32-1.54]). Children who were H. pylori seropositive with a PGI:PGII of ≤6.78 (severe gastric inflammation) had a lower likelihood of asthma (adjusted OR, 0.31 [95% CI, 0.10-0.89]) than did seronegative children. Exposure to Shigella flexneri did not differ between cases and controls, nor according to H. pylori seropositivity. Among the asthmatic children, pulmonary function did not differ according to H. pylori seropositivity.
Conclusions:
H. pylori infection and its related gastric inflammation may have a protective role in the risk of pediatric asthma and further research into a potential causal pathway is required.
More Related Videos
05:31Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
05:23Gastric Mucosa Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis for Detecting Helicobacter pylori and Antibiotic Resistance
Published on: March 7, 2025
Related Concept Videos
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...
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
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...
01:22Pathophysiology 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...