Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric carcinoma among Japanese Americans in Hawaii

Article Abstract:

To evaluate the extent to which infection with Helicobacter pylori is a risk factor for gastric carcinoma (stomach cancer), a study was carried out on American men of Japanese ancestry living in Hawaii. This group has a high incidence of gastric carcinoma. The subjects were 5,908 men born between 1900 and 1919 who underwent medical examinations between 1967 and 1970. The examinations included taking blood samples, which were frozen and stored for subsequent analysis. A total of 137 cases of gastric carcinoma (intestinal, diffuse, and unknown types) had been diagnosed in the group by 1989: for 109 subjects, blood samples and sufficient additional information were available for inclusion in the study. These subjects (cases) were matched with controls for age at examination and date of blood sampling. Blood samples were then analyzed for the presence of H. pylori. Positive test results were obtained for 94 percent of the cases and 76 percent of the controls; this translates into a six-fold elevated incidence of gastric carcinoma among those with H. pylori infection. Moreover, higher levels of antibody against H. pylori were associated with increased risk of gastric cancer. Subjects born between 1910 and 1919 had a lower probability of being infected with H. pylori than those born between 1900 and 1909. The results provide strong evidence that H. pylori infection is associated with gastric carcinoma later in life. The organism may cause chronic gastritis (stomach inflammation), which then progresses to chronic atrophic gastritis, a precursor of stomach cancer. However, it must be noted that 76 percent of the control subjects tested positive for H. pylori, but did not have gastric carcinoma. Thus, infection with H. pylori will only be associated with the latter disease in a small subgroup of patients. Research should attempt to identify other factors that may increase the risk of gastric carcinoma among people with H. pylori infection. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Reports, Risk factors, Development and progression, Diseases, Stomach cancer, Epidemiological research, Cross sectional studies, Japanese Americans

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Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and histologic gastritis in asymptomatic persons

Article Abstract:

Helicobacter pylori, previously known as Campylobacter pylori, is a bacteria that causes infections associated with gastritis and duodenal ulcers (inflammation of the stomach and ulcers of the upper portion of the small intestine). Little data has been available regarding H. pylori as it occurs in people without symptoms, but previous research has indicated that asymptomatic infection is fairly common. To assess the prevalence of H. pylori infection in asymptomatic adults, this study examined 113 persons ranging in age from 18 to 91. When biopsies of stomach tissue were performed, 36 subjects (32 percent) were found to be infected with H. pylori. Although none of the subjects exhibited symptoms, 16 (14 percent) had tissue abnormalities consisting of mucosal erosions, and 42 subjects (37 percent) had gastritis. All of the subjects infected with H. pylori had gastritis. None of the 71 individuals with normal biopsy results were positive for the infection. It was also noted that the prevalence of H. pylori appears to increase with age. Although ten percent of the infected persons were between the ages of 18 and 29, and 47 percent were more than 60 years old, age was not a statistically significant factor. The frequency of gastritis did show a significant correlation with advancing age. It was concluded that the occurrence of H. pylori infection in asymptomatic persons is fairly common. It is often accompanied by gastritis and tissue abnormalities which occur more frequently with increasing age. Prior research has indicated that gastritis may be associated with the development of gastric carcinoma, stomach cancer. Because the inflammation associated with H. pylori infections does not create symptoms, this area deserves more attention. Additional research is also recommended concerning the possible relationship between this asymptomatic condition and the risk for gastric carcinoma.

Diagnosis, Complications and side effects, Campylobacter infections, Campylobacteriosis, Helicobacter pylori, Gastrointestinal diseases, Duodenal ulcer, Gastritis

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Intrafamilial clustering of Helicobacter pylori infection

Article Abstract:

The growth of the bacteria Helicobacter pylori in the gastric antrum, or entrance of the stomach, has been associated with gastritis, inflammation of the stomach. The prevalence of H. pylori growth in the stomach was examined in 93 children who underwent examinations of their stomachs for gastrointestinal symptoms. In addition, blood samples of the children and family members were examined for the presence of antibody to H. pylori. Antibodies are specialized proteins produced by the body to specifically inactivate foreign invading substances such as bacteria. Among 27 children with gastritis of unknown cause, H. pylori was identified by tissue staining methods and cell culture, and antibodies to H. pylori were present in 23 of these children. The bacteria was not detected in three children with unexplained gastritis, 13 children with gastritis resulting from known causes, and 53 children with normal stomach features; antibody to H. pylori was detected in only one of these 69 children. H. pylori was also detected in 25 of 34 parents and 18 of 22 siblings of infected children, as well as 8 of 25 parents and 5 of 37 siblings of uninfected children. The results show that antibodies to H. pylori are associated with the growth of this microorganism in the stomach. The prevalence of H. pylori infection within families suggests that there may be a person-to-person spread of these bacteria. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Infection, Measurement, Causes of, Familial diseases, Stomach, Gastroenteritis, Antibodies

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