Related Experiment Videos
Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection is not increased in pediatric inflammatory arthritides
S Shabib1, R Laxer, E Silverman
1Division of Gastroenterology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Insights
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) seroprevalence was similar in children with inflammatory arthritis and those with inflammatory bowel disease. Anti-inflammatory drug therapy may increase the risk of H. pylori related dyspeptic symptoms in these pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a common cause of gastritis and peptic ulcers.
- Children with chronic inflammatory conditions may be at increased risk for H. pylori infection.
- The role of anti-inflammatory drug therapy in H. pylori infection among pediatric patients is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in children diagnosed with inflammatory arthritides.
- To compare H. pylori seroprevalence between children with inflammatory arthritides and those with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.
- To assess the potential influence of anti-inflammatory drug therapy on H. pylori infection rates in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect H. pylori specific immunoglobulin G antibodies.
- The study included 95 children with inflammatory arthritides, 53 children with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, and 47 parents of children with inflammatory arthritis.
- Seropositivity rates were compared between the different study groups.
Main Results:
- The seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in children with inflammatory arthritides was 9.5% (9/95).
- This rate was not significantly different from that observed in children with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (1.9%; 1/53; p = 0.16).
- Parental seropositivity was higher at 34% (16/47), with four positive parents having children with a positive immune response.
Conclusions:
- The study found no evidence to suggest an increased frequency of H. pylori infection among children with inflammatory arthritides.
- The use of ulcerogenic medications, commonly prescribed for inflammatory conditions, is likely an independent risk factor for dyspeptic symptoms and gastritis in this population.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the complex interplay between H. pylori, anti-inflammatory therapies, and gastrointestinal health in pediatric patients.
Objective:
To determine the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection among children with inflammatory arthritides receiving antiinflammatory drug therapy.
Methods:
An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect H. pylori specific immunoglobulin G antibody in 95 children with inflammatory arthritides, 53 children with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases and 47 parents of children with inflammatory arthritis.
Results:
The frequency of seropositivity in children with arthritis (9/95, 9.5%) was not significantly higher than in children with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (1/53, 1.9%; p = 0.16). Serum samples from parents were positive in 16 of 47 (34%), including 4 parents with children who also demonstrated a positive immune response.
Conclusion:
These data do not provide evidence for an increased frequency of H. pylori infection among children with inflammatory arthritides. The therapeutic use of ulcerogenic medications is likely to be an independent risk factor predisposing to dyspeptic symptoms and gastritis in this patient population.