CagA-positive Helicobacter pylori infection is not associated with decreased risk of Barrett's esophagus in a population with high H. pylori infection rate

BMC Gastroenterol. 2006 Feb 16:6:7. doi: 10.1186/1471-230X-6-7.

Abstract

Background & aim: The role that H. pylori infection plays in the development of and Barrett's esophagus (BE) is uncertain. We tested the hypothesis that infection with cagA+ Helicobacter pylori strains protects against the development of BE.

Methods: We studied 104 consecutive patients, residents in an area with a high prevalence of H. pylori infection, with BE and 213 sex- and age-matched controls. H. pylori infection and CagA antibody status were determined by western blot serology.

Results: H. pylori prevalence was higher in patients with BE than in controls (87.5% vs. 74.6%; OR. 2.3; 95% CI: 1.23-4.59). Increasing age was associated with a higher prevalence of H. pylori (p < 0.05). The prevalence of CagA+ H. pylori serology was similar in patients with BE and controls (64.4% vs. 54.5%; NS). Type I H. pylori infection (CagA+ and VacA+) was similar in patients with BE and controls (44.2% vs. 41.3%; NS). Logistic regression analysis identified alcohol (O.R. 7.09; 95% CI 2.23-22.51), and H. pylori infection (OR: 2.41; 95%CI: 1.20-4.84) but not CagA+ serology as independent factors.

Conclusion: Neither H. pylori infection nor H. pylori infection by CagA+ strains reduce the risk of BE in a population with high prevalence of H. pylori infection.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Alcohol Drinking
  • Antigens, Bacterial / blood*
  • Bacterial Proteins / blood*
  • Barrett Esophagus / complications
  • Barrett Esophagus / diagnosis
  • Barrett Esophagus / epidemiology*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Endoscopy
  • Female
  • Helicobacter Infections / blood
  • Helicobacter Infections / complications
  • Helicobacter Infections / diagnosis
  • Helicobacter Infections / epidemiology*
  • Helicobacter pylori*
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Smoking
  • Spain / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • cagA protein, Helicobacter pylori