|
Yu-Qin
Luo, Jin-Bo Teng, Bo-Rong Pan, Xue-Yong Zhang, 1Department
of Gastroenterology, Chinese PLA 222 Hospital, Jilin132011, Jilin
Province, China
2Department of Gastroenterology, Mianxian Hospital,
Mianxian 724200, Shaanxi Province, China
3Room 12, 1 Buliding 621,Fourth
Military Medical University, Xi′an
710033, Shaanxi Province, China
Dr. Yu-Qin
Luo,
female, born on 1961-05-12 in Jilin City, Jilin Provi nce, graduated
from Jilin Medical College, specialized in the study of digestive
diseases, having 18 papers published now studying in Xijing
Hospital, Four th Military Medical University.
Correspondence to: Dr. Yu-Qin
Luo,
Department of Gastroenterol ogy, Chinese PLA 222 Hospital, Jilin
132011, Jilin Province, China
Telephone:
+86-432-2050789
Received: 1998-04-12
Subject
headings: liver
diseases; hepatitis; hypertension, portal;
Helicobacter pylori; hepatic encephalopathy
Luo
YQ, Teng JB, Pan BR, Zhang XY. Liver disease and Helicobacter. World
J Gastroentero,
1999;5(4):338-344
INTRODUCTION
The human upper gastrointestinal tract is often infected with
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This urea splitting bacterium is
now considered to be a causal agent in some diseases, including
antral gastritis and frank duodenal ulceration, in addition to an
association with gastric carcinoma and mucosa associated lymphoid
tissue (MALT) lymphoma[1].
Since the discovery of H. pylori, a number of additional
Helicobacter species have been isolated from the stomachs and
intestinal tracts of a variety of mammalian species. At least
eighteen separate Helicobacter species have been recognized
(Table 1)[2,3].The
discovery of these Helicobacter species, has raised the
possibility of a relationship between Helicobacter infection
and liver diseases[3].
Table 1 Helicobacter species and their hosts
|
Species
|
Hosts
|
Primary
site
|
Other
sites
|
|
H.
pylort*
|
Human,
macaque, cat
|
Stomach
|
|
|
H.
mustelae
|
Ferret,
mink
|
Stomach
|
|
|
H.
felis*
|
Cat,
dog
|
Stomach
|
|
|
H.
bizzozeronii*
|
Dog,
human
|
Stomach
|
|
|
H.
helimannii△*
|
Dog,
cat, human, monkey
|
Stomach
|
|
|
H.
nemestrinae
|
Pigtailed
macaque
|
Stomach
|
|
|
H.
suis△
|
Swine
|
Stomach
|
|
|
H.
acinonyx
|
Cheetah
|
Stomach
|
|
|
“H.
rappini”*
|
Sheep,
dog, human, mice
|
Intestine
|
Liver
(sheep), stomach
|
|
H.
canis*
|
Dog,
human
|
Intestine
|
Liver
(dog)
|
|
H.
hepaticus
|
Mice
|
Intestine
|
Liver
|
|
H.
bilis
|
Mice,
dog
|
Intestine
|
Liver,
stomach (dog)
|
|
H.
trogontum
|
Rat
|
Intestine
|
|
|
H.
muridarum
|
Mice,
rat
|
Intestine
|
Stomach
(mich)
|
|
H.
cinaedi*
|
Human,
hamster
|
Intestine
|
|
|
H.
fennelliae
|
Human
|
Intestine
|
|
|
H.
pullorum*
|
Chicken,
human
|
Intestine
|
Liver
(chicken)
|
|
H.
pametensis
|
Bird,
swine
|
Intestine
|
|
|
H.
cholecystus
|
Hamsters
|
Intestine
|
|
*Some
data suggest zoonotic potential
△Closely
related, may be same species
HELICOBACTER PYLORI AND PEPTIC ULCER IN CIRRHOSIS
Historically, it is well recognized that duodenal ulcer disease
is more common in patients with cirrhosis as compared with non-
cirrhotic patients[4].
H owever, a number of early studies suggested that in cirrhotic
patients there was no clear relationship between duodenal ulcers and
H. pylori infection, suggesti ng the possibility of other
causes[5].
Other studies suggested that H. pylori infection, as measured
by IgG, H. pylori serum antibodies, was more common in
cirrhotic patients than in non-cirrhotics[6].
A study showe d that cirrhotic patients were more likely to have a
positive H. pylori ELISA with a negative histologic
examination for H.pylori as compared with n oncirrhotic
patients[7].
Whether H.pylori is a risk factor for peptic ulcer in
cirrhosis remains controversial. In a cross-sectional study by Wang et
al, 49 cirrhotic patients underwent upper gastrointestinal
endoscopy and 75 controls (healthy examinees) without liver disease
were also examined by endoscopy. Thirty (61%) of the 49 cirrhotic
patients had peptic ulcers as compared wi th 24 (32%) of the 75
controls. The frequency of H. pylori in the antrum in the
cirrhotic group was significantly lower than in the control group
(39% vs 69%). The presence of H. pylori was more frequent in
control patients wit h gastric (75%) and duodenal ulcers (95%) than
nonulcerous control patients (59%), the difference between patients
with and without peptic ulcer (40% vs 37%) was not significant in
cirrhotic patients. H. pylori was identified in 40% of the
cirrhotic patients with duodenal ulcers as against 95% of controls w
ith duodenal ulcer(P<0.05).Nevertheless,
this difference was not significant among patients with a gastric
ulcer between the two groups (40% vs 75%). There was no significant
differen ce in the frequency of H. pylori infection among
nonulcerous patients between the cirrhotic and control groups (37%
vs 59%). No evidence was found to substantiate an etiologic role of H.
pylori in the development of duodenal ulcer in cirrhotic
patients[8].
In 153 consecutive patients with cirrhosis, Siringo et al ′s[9]assessed
the prevalence of IgG to Helicobacter pylori and compared it
with that in 1010 blood donor-residents in the same area and the
relationship of IgG to H. pylori with clinical and endoscopic
features and with the risk of peptic ulcer. The prevalence of IgG to
H.pylori of cirrhosis was significantly higher than in blood
dono rs (76.5% vs 41.8%; P<0.0005)
and was not associated with sex, cirrhosis etiology, Child class,
gammaglobulins and hypertensive gastropathy. In both groups, the
prevalence of IgG to H. pylori was significantly higher in
subjects aged over 40. Multivariate analysis identified high age and
males as risk factors for a positive H. pylori serology and
no independent risk factors for peptic ulcer. The high prevalence of
H. pylori positive serology found in this series was related
to age and sex and might also be explained by previous hospital
admissions and/or upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Their results
did not confirm the role of H. pylori as a risk factor for
peptic ulcer in patients with liver cirrhosis. H. pylori
infection is the major pathogenic factor for peptic ulcer disease.
Its epidemiology is not fully known; few data are available in
patients with chronic liver disease. To investigate the
seroprevalence and factors associated with H. pylori
infection, a series of studies or liver cirrhosis patients is
necessary. Two hundred and twenty consecutive patients were
prospectively included in a study aimed to evaluate the effect of
dietary intervention on cirrhosis complications and survival. An
epidemiological and clinical questionnaire was completed. Sera were
obtained and stored at -70℃
until analyzed . They were tested for H. pylori antibodies
using a commercial ELISA kit. Eleven of 220 patients had borderline
anti-H. pylori -IgG titers. Of the remaining 209 patients,
105 (50.2%) showed positive titers of H. pylori -IgG. Univari
ate analysis showed that H. pylori infection was more
frequent in older patients, those born outside Catalonia, and in
patients with a low educational level. Past ethanol consumption and
current smoking were correlated negatively with H. pylori
infection. Selected age (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.46-6.45), educational
level (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.18-4.2) and alcohol consumption (OR 0.7, 95%
CI 0.4 5-0.99) as the variables were independently related to H.
pylori infection in multivariate analysis. Their conclusions of H.
pylori infection in cirrh osis has the same epidemiological
pattern as in the general population. Suggestions that the etiology
or the severity of the liver disease could be related to H.
pylori infection were not confirmed by their study[10].
HELICOBACTER PYLORI AND PORTAL HYPER_TENSIVE GASTROPATHY
Yang et al[11]
have recently investigated the
possible relationship between H. pylori infection and
portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) in cirrhotic patients. Yang′s
conclusion is that H. pylori colonization of the stomach of
cirrhotic patients was likely to be contributed to the development o
f PHG. In other reports, H. pylori infection in patients with
PHG differed f rom that in the normal population[12],
in contrast with what can be observed in patients with chronic
gastritis. Some authors do not agree, however, on Balan′s
findings that gastric mucus secretion was unaltered in PHG patients.
Althoughed there was no difference between H. pylori-positive
or-negative pat ients, a previous study showed that both mucus and
bicarbonate secretion (so-ca lled mucus- bicarbonate barrier) were
impaired in cirrhotic patients with PHG[13],
a phenomenon that might account for the high sensitivity of portal h
ypertensive mucosa to the damaging agents[14].
Others have also detected a reduced mucus secretion in PHG patients[15].
PHG was also thought to be associated with changes in gastric
mucosal blood flow, but, the available data are conflicting[16],
although most studies support the concept that gastric perfusion was
increased, because H. pylori infection had no influence on
gastric mucosal blood flow, the state of local microcirculation was
unaffected by eradication of the germ[17].
Another study suggested that the role of H. pylori infection
in the pathogenesis of congestive gastropathy seemed to be unlikely
and that there was no need for routine eradication in cirrhotic
patients[18].
Bahnacy et al[18]
evaluated the prevalence and
signifi cance of H. pylori infection in patients with portal
hypertension. A total of 118 patients were selected, 90 with portal
hypertension (66 males, 24 females, mean age 49.1±2.1 years) and 28
noncirrhotic patients with nonulcerative dyspepsia as a control
group (12 males, 16 females, mean age 47.6±2.8 years). Endoscopy
was performed and gastric biopsies were taken for histological
examination and diagnosis of H. pylori infection in all the
patients. Of the portal hypertensive patients, 42 (47%) had
congestive gastropathy, 11 (26%) of whom were positive for H.
pylori infection and 48 (53%) had no gastropathy, 12 (25%) o f
whom were positive for H. pylori infection. In the control
group, 15 (54%) of 28 were positive for H. pylori infection. H.
pylori was found less frequently in congestive gastropathy
patients than in the control group.
HELICOBACTER AND BILE DUCT INJURY
Are there any Helicobacter species that can induce bile
duct injury and then trigger further autoimmune liver diseases?
Recent studies in animals have provi ded insight into the
possibility. The best model for the Helicobacter induce d
liver disease up to date is the recently isolated and characterized
bacterium named H. hepaticus[19-22].
H. hepaticus is a spiral-to-curved bacteri um, observed with
Steiner′s
silver stains in livers of barrier-maintained mice su ffering from
multifocal necrotic hepatitis. H. hepaticus persistently
colonized in the colon and cecum, and was associated with liver
tumors in A/J Cr mice as well as hepatitis in other susceptible
inbred mouse strains[19].
In A/J Cr mice, H. hepaticus can be seen in the liver under
electron microscopy, but only infrequently and only in bile
canaliculi. H. hepaticus is resistant to high levels of bile in
vitro, which may help explain its ability to colonize in bile
canaliculi. Other studies have suggested that H. pylori can
colonize in the biliary tract. In one study, H. pylori DNA
was detected by PCR in 3 out of 7 bile samples collected with
percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage, suggesting the
possibility that this organism can cause asymptomatic cholangitis[23].
In another study, a microorganism closely resembling (by PCR and
immunohistochemical staining) H. pylori was found in the
resected gallbladder mucosa of a 41-year-old woman who was adimitted
to the hospital with fever and upper right quadrant pain[24].
However, these studies inferring the presence of H. pylori in
bile of biliary tissues are not supported by the in vitro
findings of H. pylori being unable to grow in the presence of
bile products[25].
The author also demonstrated that unconjugated bile salts were more
toxic than conjugated bile salts[25].
Others have suggested that bile salts in vivo can inhibit H.
pylori colonization. These authors found an association between
the absence of H. pylori and previous surgery for peptic
ulcers, high reflux scores, hypochlorhydria and increased bile acid
concentration in the stomach[26].
Other reports have also noted that gastric H. pylori
infection increased following cholecystectomy[27].
Nevertheless, H. pylori appears in some people to survive in
intestinal fluids with bile present as noted by the ability to
isolate H. pylori from the feces of children and adults[28,29].
The sensitivity of H. pylori to bile acids is contrasted by
the ability of Helicobacter colonizing in the l iver, i.e. H.
hepaticus, H. bilis, H. canis, H. cholecystus
and H. pullor um, to grow in the presence of bile. In
addition to H. hepaticus, other Helicobacter sp can
colonize in the hepatobiliary tract. A bacterium was identified in
the diseased livers and intestines of aged inbred mice. It has been
characterized biochemically by 16s rRNA sequence data, and named H.
bilis[30].
HELICOBACTER AND DIARRHOEA IN CIRRHOSIS
It was observed that H. hepaticus can cause inflammatory
bowel disease when inoculated into germ free mices. In addition, H.
hepaticus was associated with colitis and typhlitis in
immunocompromised mice[20,31,32].
It is well known that H. cinaedi and H. fennelliae are
isolated from the diarrheic feces of immunocompromised patients with
proctitis and/or colitis[33,34].
H. canis, cultured from diarrheic and asymptomatic dog feces
as well as feces from humans with diarrhea were isolated from the
liver of a dog with acute hepatitis[35,36].
Cirrhotic patients often had diarrhea, could it be possible that H.
hepaticus can cause inflammatory bowel disease in cirrhosis This
deserves further studies. As many intestinal Helicobacters
appeared to cause diarrheal diseases (and perhaps liver diseas e) in
humans, could positive IgG-H. pylori antibodies reflect
cross-reactivity with other Helicobacter species Sera from
abbatoir workers in direct contact with internal organs of poultry
were more frequently positive (ELISA>300)
than the sera from other employees[37,38].
It is worth noticing that although the prevalence of H. pylori
infection was not different from controls in the other groups, their
H. pylori IgG antibody levels were statistically higher[37,38].
HELICOBACTER AND HEPATITIS AND LIVER CANCER
Mice infected with H. hepaticus developed chronic liver
inflammation, with oval cell, Kupffer cell and Ito cell[20]
hyperplasia, hepatomegaly and
bile duct proliferation[20].
Eventually, with longstanding infection, A/J Cr mice developed a
chronic proliferative hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There
are some similarities of this murine hepatitis to human primary
biliary cirrhosis including portal hepatitis, ductular
proliferation, and scaring. The murine hepatitis also had features
of autoimmune cholangitis[20].
The mechanism in which H. hepaticus infection caused liver
injury is still unclear at present. H. hepaticus, like
several other Helicobacter species, exp ressed urease enzyme
which generated ammonia, the toxic product may damage hepatocytes
adjacent to the bacteria. In addition, a soluble cytotoxin has been
identified in H. hepaticus that produced significant in
vitro cytopathic effects in a murine hepatic cell line[39].
A recently discovered bacterium, H. hepaticus, could infect
the intrahepatic bile canaliculi of mice, causing a severe chronic
hepatitis culminating in liver cancer. Thus, it affords an animal
mod el for study of bacteria-associated tumorigenesis including H.
pylori related gastric cancer. Reactive oxygen species are often
postulated to contribute to this process. Sipowi et al[40]recently
reported that hepatitis of male mice infected with H. hepaticus
showed significant increases in the oxidatively damaged DNA
deoxynucleoside 8-hydroxydeoxy_guanosine, with the degree of damage
increased with progression of the disease. Perfusion of infected
liver with nitro blue tetrazolium revealed that superoxide was
produced in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes, especially in association
with plasmacytic infiltrates near portal triads. Contrary to
expectations, Kupffer cells, macrophages, and neutrophils were
rarely involved. However, levels of cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms
1A2 and 2A5 in hepatocytes appeared to be greatly increased, as
indicated by the number of cells positive in immunohistochemistry
and the intensity of staining in many cells, concomitant with severe
hepatitis. The CYP2A5 immunohistochemical staining co-localized with
formazan deposits resulting from nitro blue tetrazolium reduction
and occurred in nuclei as well as cytoplasm. These findings suggest
that CYP2A5 contributes to the superoxide production and
8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine formation, although it is possible that
reactive oxygen species from an unknown source in the hepatocytes
may lead to CYP2A5 induction of coincidental occurrence of these
events. Three glutathione S-transferase isoforms, mGSTP1.1 (pi),
mGSTA1.1 (YaYa), and mGSTA4.4, also showed striking increases
evidencing major oxidative stress in these livers. Luzza et al[41]assessed
a sample of 705 resident subjects (273 males, aged 1-87 years,
median 50) who attended t he outpatient medical centre of the rural
town of Ciro, Southern Italy (11000 inhabitants) for blood test. All
subjects completed a structured questionnaire. A serum sample was
drawn from each subject and assayed for H. pylori IgG by a
validated in-house enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Antibodies to
HAV were determin ed in 466 subjects (163 males, aged 16-87 years,
median 49). The Kappa statistical method was used to measure the
agreement between H. pylori and HAV seropositivity. Overall,
466 (63%) subjects were seropositive for H. pylori. Of the
466 subjects screened for both H. pylori and HAV, 291 (62%)
were seropositive for H. pylori, and 407 (87%) for HAV.
Cross-tabulation of these data showed that 275 (59%) were
seropositive and 43 (9%) seronegative for both H. pylori and
HAV; 16 (3%) were seropositive for H. pylori and 132 (28%)
were seropositive for HAV (OR=5.6, CI 3-10). There was a parallel,
weakly correlated (r=0.278) rise in the seroprevalence of the two
infections with increasing age. However, the agreement between H.
pylori and HAV seropositivity was a little better than chance
(Kappa=0.21), and in those aged less than 20 years, it was worse
than chance (Kappa=-0.064). Furthermore, multiple lo gistic
regression analysis did not show any risk factor shared by both
infections. The correlation between H. pylori and HAV
reflected the age-specific seropre valence of both infections rather
than a true association. This study provided evidence against a
common mode of transmission of H. pylori and HAV. Chen et
al[42]examined
the seroprevalences of chronic infection with hepatitis B and C
viruses and H. pylori in Matzu, a group of small islets with
5566 civilian residents who have extremely high mortalities from
cancers of the stomach and liver. The standardized mortality ratios
(SMR) of all cancer sites combined, liver cancer and stomach cancer
in 1984-1993 were calculated using the gen eral population in Taiwan
as the reference (SMR=100). The SMRs (95% CI) for all cancer sites
combined, liver cancer and stomach cancer were 160 (131-195), 252 (
170-360) and 351 (229-516), respectively, in Matzu. A health survey
was carried out with 485 civilian residents aged 30 years or more,
giving a response rate of 69% among those who were eligible. Serum
samples were tested for antibodies against H. pylori
(anti-Hp) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and hepatitis B
surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies against hepatitis C virus
(anti-HCV) by enzyme immunoassay. The seroprevalence was 61% for
anti-Hp, 24.7% for HBsAg a nd 1.8% for anti-HCV in Matzu. While
mortality rates of liver and stomach canc ers were significantly
higher in Matzu than in Taiwan, the seroprevalences of an ti-Hp,
HBsAg and anti-HCV in Matzu were similar to or even lower than those
in Taiwan. Their findings suggest the existence of risk factors
other than microbial agents involved in the development of stomach
and liver cancers. Rudi et al[43]examined
staff members of an acute care hospital for serum antibodies to H.
pylori IgG (n=457) and to hepatitis A virus (n=434).
The staf f members were assigned to three groups: nonmedical staff (n=110);
medical a nd nursing staff (n=272); and medical and nursing
staff working in a gastroe nterology and endoscopy unit (n=75).
Serum antibodies were measured by valid ated enzyme immunoassays. A
questionnaire inquiring about medical and profession al history,
history of upper GI pain and ulcer, as well as about the use of
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or medication for GI complaints
and smoking ha bits was completed by each person. The seroprevalence
of H. pylori was 35.5% in group Ⅰ,
34.6% in group Ⅱ,
and 24.0% in group Ⅲ
(not significant). The seroprevalence of H. pylori antibodies
increased with age (P<0.01),
and antibodies were present more frequently in women than in men
(36.2% vs 25.4%, P<0.05).
After adjustment for age, the duration of experience and the number
of years working in the gastroenterology or endoscopy unit did not
increase H. pylori seropositivity. No significant association
was found between H. pylori seropositivity and history of
upper GI pain, ulcers, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
or medication for GI complaints, or tobacco use . The prevalence of
hepatitis A antibodies was similar in the three groups (grou p Ⅰ,
26.4%; Ⅱ
26.5%; Ⅲ
21.7%; not significant). Cross-tabulation showed t hat 67 (15.4%)
subjects were seropositive for both H. pylori and hepatitis A
(P<0.01),
and that 245 (56.5%) were negative for both. Seventy-seven (1 7.7%)
and 45 (10.4%) were seropositive for only H. pylori and for
only hepatitis A respectively. Occupational exposure to patients in
an acute care hospital as well as to patients and to endoscopic
procedures of a gastroenterology and endoscopy unit does not
increase the rate of infection with H. pylori. The
significant correlation between the seroprevalence of H. pylori
and hepatitis A antibodies suggests the fecal-oral transmission of H.
pylori.
HELICOBACTER AND CHRONIC HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY
Chronic hepatic encephalopathy is a neuropsychiatric disorder
with protein manifestations, the pathogenesis of which is poorly
understood[44].
Ammonia i s of key importance in the pathogenesis of hepatic
encephalopathy[45,46],
and hyperammonemia in patients with cirrhosis is considered to be
produced by bacterial urease in the gut flora. The initial study
implicating H. pylori as a risk factor for hepatic
encephalopathy was published in 1993[47].
Gastric ammonia production must be evaluated to assess whether the
ammonia produced by H. pylori can cause hyperammonemia. H.
pylori has strong urease activity. Ammonia produced by H.
pylori in the stomach can be a source of systemic ammonia in
patients with hepatic dysfunction. The effect of the eradication of H.
pylori on hyperammonemia was examined in patients with liver
cirrhosis. Ammonia concentrations in blood and gastric juice were
analysed in 50 patients with liver cirrhosis and hyperammonemia. All
patients were first treated with a low protein diet, kanamycin,
lactulose, and branched chain enriched amino acid solution.
Hyperammonemia remained in 18 patients. These 18 patients were
divided into three groups according to the status of H. pylori
infection: group Ⅰ,
with a diffuse distribution of H. pylori in the stomach;
Group Ⅱ,
with a regional distribution; and group Ⅲ,
without H. pylori. In group Ⅰ,
ammonia concentrations in blood and gastric juice were significantly
reduced after H. pylori eradication. The blood ammonia
concentration at 12 weeks after the eradication was still
significantly lower than that before eradication. In groups Ⅱ
and Ⅲ,
the ammonia concentrations in blood and gastric juice were not
significantly reduced after eradication therapy. The authors′
conclusion is that di ffuse distribution of H. pylori in the
stomach contributes partly to hyperammonaemia in patients with liver
cirrhosis, and the eradication of H. pylori is effective in
patients with liver cirrhosis, and the eradication of H. pylori
is effective in patients with hyperammonemia with diffuse H.
pylori infection in the stomach[48].
These findings suggest that the contribution of ammonia produced by H.
pylori to the systemic concentration depends on the number of
bacteria and their distribution in the stomach[48].
Quero et al[49]
also reported a fall in blood
ammonia with the eradication of H. pylori, but the blood
ammonia rose two months after treatment to baseline values in
patients after the eradication of H. pylori, suggesting that
the effect of the eradication of H. pylori on hyperammonemia
is a non-specific effect of antibiotics rathe than an effect of the
eradication of the organism. Plevris et al[50]
found no
significant effect of the presence of H. pylori on blood
ammonia up to two hours after administration of oral urea. They also
suggested that the improvement seen in our initial report may be
attributed to a non-specific effect of antibiotics rather than to an
effect of the era dication of H. pylori.
CHRONIC ATROPHIC GASTRITIS AND H. pylori INFECTION IN PBC
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic liver disease
characterized by exocrine gland impairment. Up to now there has been
no report dealing with gastric mucosa involvement in this autommune
condition which is frequently associated with Sjogren syndrome.
Floreani et al[51]
investigated the morphologic,
bilochemical and immunological features of the gastric mucosa in PBC.
A cross -sectional matching study was performed. Thirty-three PBC
patients (30 women, 3 men, mean age 58 years; 17 with stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ,
and 16 with stage Ⅳ
disease) an d 33 sex- and age-matched dyspeptic
controls were included. Six biopsy specimens from the fundus (2),
body (2) and antrum (2) were taken from all patients and controls. A
serological assessment was made for each subject, including
pepsinogen A (PGA), pepsinogen C (PGC), gastrin (G), and antibodies
against H. pylori(anti-Hp IgG). Endoscopic gastritis was
found in 22 PBC patients (66.6%). There was no difference between
PBC patients and controls regarding the percentage of sub jects with
mild, moderate, severe or atrophic gastritis (AG). There was no
difference in gastric mucosal involvement between PBS subjects with
or without secondary Sjogren syndrome. A discrepancy was observed in
the data obtained with respect to H. pylori infection. H.
pylori colonization was significantly more frequent in controls
than in PBC patients (79% vs 49%, P<0.002),
but anti-Hp IgG was detected in the same percentage in the two
groups (90% vs 83 %). There was no difference between the two groups
in the PGA, PGC, PGA/PGC rati o, or gastrin. Eight PBC patients had
esophageal varices. PBC patients were not characterized by chronic
atrophic gastritis. Even though they presented chronic gastritis
with the same prevalence as dyspeptic controls, and showed signs of
previous H. pylori infection as frequently as dyspeptic
patients, they are actually much less frequently infected. The
reasons for this observation are unclear[47].
In summary, many liver diseases in humans though well characterized
clinically and pathologically, do not have well defined etiologies.
Perhaps like the discovery of H. pylori associated gastric
disease, the recognition of Helicobacter SP induced liver
disease in animals, should stimulate studies to ascertain whether
these or similar Helicobacters play an important role in
pathogenesis of idiopathic hepatitis and liver neoplasia in humans.
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