helicobacter pylori

The oral cavity has been suggested as a potential reservoir for Helicobacter pylori, which plays a significant role in various health conditions. The cytotoxin-associated gene A (cagA gene) encodes an important virulence factor in H. pylori infection.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of oral H. pylori and the cagA gene in healthy children (< 5 years) in Tehran, Iran, and explore associations with age, sex, family history of gastritis, and dental health status.

This cross-sectional study included 160 asymptomatic children. Informed consent was obtained from parents or guardians after discussing the study details. Age, sex, and family history of gastritis were recorded using questionnaires. Dental health status was assessed by a trained dentist using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) index. Oral samples were collected with sterile cotton swabs from the buccal and sublingual mucosa. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect H. pylori and the cagA gene. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher’s exact test (α = 0.05).

Helicobacter pylori was detected in six participants (3.75%), and the cagA gene was present in all H. pylori-positive samples. No significant associations were found with age, sex, family history of gastritis, or the dmft score.

A small percentage of participants had oral H. pylori, with no significant link to demographic factors, family history of gastritis, or dental health. Larger studies are needed to better understand the epidemiology and long-term risks of oral H. pylori colonization in Iranian children.

Recently, magnetic nanoparticles coated with different ligands have been utilized in diagnosis, drug delivery, and therapy. This study aimed to synthesize,  characterize, and apply Fe3O4 coated with Poly Dopamine (PDA) as an MR imaging nanoprobe and its application in metronidazole-resistant helicobacter pylori (H.pylori).

Fe3O4 nanoparticles were characterized and their cytotoxicity was determined in MCF-7 cell lines. Then, coated and non-coated nanoparticles were injected intravenously into  9 xenograft BALB/C mice, and the signal intensity of the T2-weighted MR was assessed. Iron concentrations were measured by ICP-AES, and histopathological assessment was done on harvested critical organs. Finally, The standard disk diffusion method was also used to identify the H.pylori resistance to metronidazole. The minimum inhibitory concentrations and the minimum bactericidal concentration of uncoated and coated iron oxide nanoparticles were investigated.

The MTT assay showed low cytotoxicity at 512 µg/ml. T2 relaxation times of tumors were lower compared to normal tissues. ICP-AES results indicated that the NPs accumulated mostly in the spleen and liver. The histopathology study demonstrated that the vital organ tissues had less morphologic abnormality and apoptotic changes. The minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentrations of ION@PDA were 16-64 µg/ml and 16-128 µg/ml, respectively. 

Due to the high permeability of nanoprobes in tumors, less cytotoxicity, and its inhibitory effects on metronidazole-resistant H.pylori, ION@PDA may be used as a nano contrast agent in MR imaging for the detection of MCF-7 cells.

Helicobacter pylori infection is common all over the world mainly in developing country around 50% of population may carry it, it’s usually asymptomatic in early childhood but may cause significant problems like peptic ulcer.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection and associated factors during infancy.

This study is a cross-sectional study of 110 infants aged from 6 months to 1 year, from 1st Feb. to 1st Aug. 2023. Stool Helicobacter antigen was done for infants and their mothers. Certain demographic and clinical information were obtained then statistical analysis applied.

The results showed 20% of infants were positive for H. pylori stool antigen, mean age of the infants was 8.99 ± 2.074 months. Sixty-two (56.4%) samples were male while forty-seven (42.7%) babies were breastfed. There was a significant association between infantile infection with prematurity, improper hygienic measures, maternal Helicobacter infection and overcrowding.

Helicobacter infection is not uncommon during infancy, Exclusive breast feeding decrease the risk of H. pylori infection in infancy, while other Variables such as gestational age, overcrowding and mother’s H. pylori positivity are known as predictors of H. pylori infection.

Helicobacter pylori is a significant contributor to a range of gastrointestinal conditions, with conventional treatment methods primarily relying on antibiotics. However, the rise of antibiotic-resistant strains has necessitated the exploration of alternative therapeutic approaches.

To determine the in vitro antibacterial potential of probiotic bacteria (Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus BLRH 260 and Limosilactobacillus reuteri) and four propolis extracts against H. pylori and to analyze their impacts on body weight index and histopathological changes in H. pylori-challenged Wistar rats.

The inhibitory effects of probiotic bacteria (L. rhamnosus BLRH 260 and L. reuteri) and propolis extracts on the growth of H. pylori were evaluated using an agar well diffusion assay. In vivo analysis involved fifty-four male Wistar rats (200 - 250 g) infected with an H. pylori suspension (108 CFU/mL) and orally administered propolis or probiotics (108 CFU/mL) via gavage for 21 days. The effects of different treatments on body weight and histopathological changes in gastric tissue samples were assessed, and the results were statistically analyzed.

The tested propolis extracts and the supernatant fluids from the mentioned probiotic strains showed significant antibacterial activity against H. pylori in the agar well diffusion assay, with notable variations. In vivo, the findings demonstrated that oral administrations of propolis and probiotics, either separately or in combination, led to significant increases in body weight and amelioration of histopathological changes in gastric tissue samples, particularly in terms of erosion depth, hemorrhagic inflammation, and apoptosis in the infected animals. Histopathological differences between antibiotic-treated animals and those receiving other treatments were observed, with significant differences.

The results of this study underscore the potential therapeutic benefits of propolis and probiotics in addressing H. pylori-induced gastropathy. Additional research is necessary to clarify the mechanisms involved and to refine dosage and treatment protocols for optimal effectiveness.

This review thoroughly investigates the antimicrobial properties of medicinal plants against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and highlights their potential to address the issue of drug resistance. The review highlights the significance of exploring compounds derived from plants that can efficiently suppress bacterial growth through distinct mechanisms, and it also examines the combined effects of using multiple compounds from plant extracts. The rising antibiotic resistance of H. pylori has sparked increased interest in alternative treatments, including medicinal plants, which may offer effective and safer methods for preventing and managing diseases caused by this bacterium. Currently, there is heightened interest in medicinal plants due to their lower side effects, ease of use, availability, and generally lower cost. In summary, in light of the escalating antibiotic resistance of H. pylori, this study explores the inhibitory effects of medicinal plants on this pathogen. The study underscores the vital importance of herbal medicines in tackling resistant strains of H. pylori and emphasizes the need for additional research to create new treatment strategies.

Breast cancer remains a significant global health concern, with challenges in treating advanced stages necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches. Bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) have shown promise in cancer immunotherapy by targeting cancer cells and modulating immune responses. This study investigated the effects of Helicobacter pylori-derived OMVs on the activation of the Snail/β-Catenin gene cascade in regulating inflammation and cell migration in a mouse model of breast cancer.

The OMVs were extracted from the culture of H. pylori strain 26695 (ATCC 700392) using ultracentrifugation. In the mouse model, the vesicles were injected intraperitoneally into Balb/c mice with breast tumors. Tumor growth was assessed through histological examination of tumor samples. IgA and IgG antibodies were measured using ELISA. The expression of E-cadherin and vimentin proteins was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and real-time PCR was used for vimentin, Snail, α-SMA, and β-catenin in serum samples from the different groups.

The OMV treatment led to a significant increase in the expression of α-SMA, β-catenin, Snail, and vimentin genes, indicating a potential induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and enhanced cancer cell growth. Additionally, a decrease in vimentin expression and an increase in E-cadherin expression were observed, suggesting inhibition of cell migration. The study also revealed alterations in systemic IgA and IgG antibody levels, indicating potential immunomodulatory effects of OMVs.

These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of OMVs derived from H. pylori in breast cancer treatment by targeting gene cascades involved in cancer progression and modulating immune responses.

Lebanon, a middle-income country in the Eastern Mediterranean, has been experiencing a socioeconomic and humanitarian crisis since at least 2019, which has severely impacted the population’s well-being. As a result, the country has faced unprecedented deprivation of basic survival needs including food, clean water, hygiene, and healthcare.

This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) infection among children and adolescents during the economic crisis. A total of 198 children and adolescents, visiting the pediatric gastroenterology departments of two hospitals in a suburban area of Northern Lebanon, were enrolled in this study.

Data collection involved a structured questionnaire that included anthropometric measurements, sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics, and adherence to the MD. H. pylori infection was determined using the H. pylori CHECK stool antigen test. Multiple binary logistic regression was conducted to identify the association between H. pylori infection and patient characteristics, including adherence to the MD.

Helicobacter pylori was detected in 12.1% of the tested children and adolescents. Factors associated with H. pylori infection included washing fruits and vegetables before consumption, use of olive oil, and consumption of dairy products. Additionally, multiple binary logistic regression analysis indicated that children and adolescents who consumed olive oil or dairy products were more likely to have H. pylori infection.

The consumption of olive oil and dairy products was associated with H. pylori infection. Further studies are required to confirm the effect of diet on H. pylori infection, with a detailed assessment of macronutrient and micronutrient intake.

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative pathogen. The infection caused by this pathogen may result in gastritis and can increase the risk of gastric cancer. This study investigated the relationship between H. pylori infection as the main risk factor for gastritis and changes in serum inflammatory cytokine levels.

Blood samples from 85 patients with stomach pain, including 46 H. pylori-positive (Hp+) and 39 H. pylori-negative (Hp- ) cases, were collected and referred to a gastroenterologist. After isolation and identification of H. pylori, the severity of gastritis was determined for each patient based on the histopathological findings. Finally, the serum levels of cytokines were measured using the multiplex kit and flow cytometry methods.

There were significant differences in the levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, tumor necrosis factoralpha (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) between the Hp- and the Hp+specimens (P≤0.05). The levels of IL-2, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, TNF-α, and IFN-γ were significantly higher in patients with mild and moderate gastritis than Hp- group (P≤0.05). In addition, IL-4 significantly increased in patients with moderate gastritis compared with Hp- individuals (P=0.008).

Among the inflammatory cytokines evaluated in this study, IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-22 may play a crucial role in developing moderate gastritis in infected patients with H. pylori.

Among environmental factors, infectious agents, including Helicobacter pylori, can act as triggers for autoimmune thyroid diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the correlation between autoimmune Hashimoto’s thyroiditis with H. pylori infection.

The participants in this case-control study were 74 individuals 17-62 years who were divided into two groups, including 38 diagnosed Hashimoto’s thyroiditis patients from an outpatient clinic of endocrinology and 36 apparently healthy individuals that were selected from family members of cases group age-matched and sex-matched. For individuals in two groups, a questionnaire was completed, including demographic information. Then, they were referred to the laboratory for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free T4 (FT4) in the control group and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) levels measurement in case and control groups. Stool samples were obtained from all individuals for H. pylori antigen detection using the ELIZA kit.

There was no significant difference in the mean age of case and control groups (P=0.96), and 81.1% of individuals were female. 58.6% of patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and 41.4% of the control group had positive H. pylori, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.34). Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between TPO-Ab levels and H. pylori infection (r=0.2, P=0.03).

TPO-Ab levels were associated with H. pylori infection diagnosed by H. pylori antigen.

Antibiotic resistance and adverse effects pose significant challenges to the effectiveness of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapies, such as clarithromycin-based triple therapy. Alternative treatments, including bismuth quadruple therapy, are effective in cases of clarithromycin resistance. Levofloxacin and metronidazole-based triple therapy have demonstrated high success rates with fewer side effects, making it a preferred option following clarithromycin treatment failure.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of levofloxacin and metronidazole in eradicating H. pylori among patients with chronic epigastric pain in Zakho, Iraq. It also assessed the accuracy of diagnostic tests, patient history, and post-treatment confirmation of eradication.

A prospective study was conducted involving 100 patients with chronic epigastric pain at Zakho General Teaching Hospital. Diagnosis was performed using the fecal antigen test, urea breath test (UBT), and endoscopy with biopsy. Patients were treated with a 14-day regimen comprising levofloxacin, metronidazole, and either esomeprazole or pantoprazole.

Of the 100 participants, 66% were female, with a mean age of 37.85 years. The fecal antigen test, performed on 60 patients, showed a positivity rate of 96.5%, while the UBT, conducted on 40 patients, revealed a positivity rate of 97.5%. The highest infection rate was observed in the 51 - 60 age group. The 14-day levofloxacin and metronidazole regimen achieved a 99% eradication rate with minimal side effects.

This study underscores the high efficacy of levofloxacin and metronidazole-based therapy for H. pylori eradication. It highlights the importance of non-invasive diagnostic methods, enhanced patient follow-up, and international collaboration to achieve optimal treatment outcomes.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium involved in gastrointestinal disorders with a high prevalence in Iran. We have determined the seroprevalence of H. pylori in the young adult population of Mashhad city for the first time.

We carried out a cross-sectional study on 933 individuals between the ages of 15 and 35 in Mashhad. The serum level of IgG, IgM, and IgA H. pylori antibodies was determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.

The average age of the participants including 290 (31.0%) male and 643 (68.9%) female cases was 25.47 ± 5.76. H. pylori IgG was seropositive in 365 (39.1%) of subjects. Occupation (p=0.002), body mass index (p=0.002), marital status (p<0.0001), and age (p<0.007) were meaningfully related to H. pylori IgG seropositivity. Other factors such as sex, educational attainment, history of chronic diseases, and smoking cigarette had no significant relationship with the presence of H. pylori antibodies.

The seroprevalence of H. pylori IgG antibodies in Mashhad's 15 to 35 years old citizens was determined 39.1%. We suggest further studies with larger sample sizes and different age groups as the target population.

To better understand the molecular mechanism of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in adenocarcinoma, the gene expression profile of AGS cells was analyzed by complementary study.

Gastric cancer, as one of the most lethal malignancies in the world, is important to be studied in terms of biomarkers. On the other hand, Helicobacter pylori is one of the key risk factors in this type of disease.

In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the seroprevalence of total and IgM anti-HAV antibodies of 254 institutionalized people with intellectual disabilities. Total and IgM anti-HAV antibodies of the blood samples of these people were determined by ELISA method. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis is a bioinformatic study with validation values for biomarker identification and clarification of molecular mechanisms. Cytoscape V 3.10.2 and its application identified potential central elements of the PPI network and its corresponding roles.

GAPDH and P53 are the most promising candidates in this study. In addition, the microRNA signatures assessment provided more information about these biomarkers and added more value.

Consequently, a new outlook for the relationship between gastric cancer and H. pylori was explored based on the new key biomarkers.

We aimed to identity Helicobacter pylori endosymbiont in Acanthamoeba-positive samples in natural and laboratory conditions.

Overall, 134 samples were collected from hospital environments. Microscopic and PCR test were used for detection of Acanthamoeba and H. pylori. The real-time PCR method was used to check the active presence of H. pylori within Acanthamoeba under natural conditions from hospital samples and in co-culture laboratory conditions.

The rate of contamination of hospital samples with Acanthamoeba was 44.7%. Out of 42 Acanthamoeba PCR-positive samples, 13 isolates (31%) were positive in terms of H. pylori endosymbiont according to sampling location. H. pylori is able to penetrate and enter the Acanthamoeba parasite.

H. pylori is able to contaminate Acanthamoeba in natural and laboratory conditions. The presence of pathogenic Acanthamoeba in various hospital environments and the hiding of Helicobacter as an endosymbiont inside it can pose a serious threat to the health of hospitalized patients.

Multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) is a reliable, fast, and useful method for conducting phylogenetic and genotyping analyses. However, its application in Helicobacter pylori typing is limited.

This study aimed to determine the genetic diversity of H. pylori strains isolated from biopsy samples using six variable loci in MLVA typing.

Over one year, we collected 70 non-duplicative biopsy samples from patients at Rohani Hospital, Babol, in northern Iran. After DNA extraction, H. pylori strains were confirmed through the amplification of the glmM gene in the PCR test. Multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis typing utilized six VNTR markers: VNTR-180, VNTR-263, VNTR-614, VNTR-607, VNTR-2181, and VNTR-2457. The PHYLOViZE software was employed to construct the phylogenetic tree.

Out of the 70 specimens, 43 tested positive for H. pylori . The phylogenetic tree revealed some strains with completely similar MLVA patterns. Our findings indicated that type 2 is the dominant type in this region, with most patients infected with this type exhibiting gastritis.

The high allelic variability observed at VNTR-614, -607, and -2457 indicates high intraspecific variability for these markers in all isolates from our region. Consequently, these VNTRs can be considered ideal sites for typing.

Helicobacter pyloriis the most common cause of peptic ulcers and gastroduodenal pathologies and has been identifiedby the World Health Organization as a serious threat to human health. The increasing antibiotic resistance of H. pylorinecessitates prevention and early intervention, as well as the discovery of novel drugs. Amaranth, chia, and quinoa are classified as pseudocereals and are known as superfoods because of their nutritional density. The effect of consuming these pseudocereals at the onset of H. pyloriinfection was investigated using in silicomethods. 34 proteins from amaranth, chia, and quinoa were subjected to in silicopepsin digestion, and antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and cell-penetrating activities of the released peptides were analyzed. Peptides predicted to be cell-penetrating were further used for peptide-protein docking. 58 peptides were predicted to have antimicrobial activity whereas 76 were predicted to have antibiofilm activity. A total of 116 peptides were classified as cell-penetrating peptides, and those with the highest scores were used for peptide-protein docking with shikimate dehydrogenase, type II dehydroquinase, and D-alanine-D-alanine ligase of H. pylorito evaluate their enzyme inhibition potential. A peptide released from the chia seed proteins A0A1Z1EC55 and A0A1Z1EC46 with the sequence SWKYSHRRHHSNTGSL gave the highest docking energyscores for all three enzymes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work concerning the effect of ingested food on H. pylori infection and we believe that our results will provide valuable data and a new point of view for the scientists interested in this topic.

This study aimed to detect H. pylori genome in dental plaque samples and determine the frequency of the dupA after bacterial culture and PCR assay.

In this prospective study, the inclusion criteria were as: age greater and equal to 20; the need for dental examination performed by a clinician, and finally no record of antibiotic uptake against H. pylori 30 days before sampling. All demographic information of included subjects such as gender, age, history of smoking, and anti-H. pylori therapy was also recorded. DNA was extracted and bacterial culturing was performed within 4 hours of sample receipt. A patient was declared positive for H. pylori when the confirmatory glmM PCR result.

Of 40 symptomatic subjects, thirty-five were H. pylori positive (87.5%). Among the H. pylori-positive subjects, 28 (80%) were dupA positive. Meantime, for the subjects in the healthy group, 15 cases were H. pylori positive, and among this population 6 patients (40%) were dupA positive (P value <0.05). According to this study, it has been shown that in both groups with a periodontal pocket depth of 3-4 mm and without this depth  H. pylori was detectable in the dental plaques, but this rate was significantly higher in the patient group (P=0.023).

Conclusively, the study can be the initial step in the designation of a specific bacterial gene to track the H. pylori infection and chance of associated diseases in clinical samples while discarding the endoscopic examination as the invasive method is the highest priority.

This study investigates the susceptibility and resistance of H. pylori isolates recovered from gastroduodenal patients naive to clarithromycin.

To that end, H. pylori strains were isolated from antral biopsies of pretreatment patients, and antral biopsy specimens were subsequently cultured. Presumptive H. pylori colonies were also confirmed on enriched Brucella agar by biochemical tests, including catalase, oxidase, rapid urease, and the standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by standard disk diffusion methods according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Then, the Epsilometer test (E-test) was used to determine the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC). 

Of 180 samples, 80 (44%) were positive for urease and were included for further analysis. 65 were also positive in culture base method. The sensitivity test indicated a 23% resistance rate to clarithromycin among the six clarithromycin-resistant strains: four have a common form of the A2143G mutation, and two have A2142G mutation.

The PCR indicated that the level of resistance to clarithromycin was very similar to the resistance level in Iran.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the most prevalent infection in the world, has great importance due to being related to peptic ulcer disease, gastric metaplasia, dysplasia, and even gastric adenocarcinoma or mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.  The standard H. pylori eradication regimen is based on antibiotic susceptibility testing. If susceptibility testing is not available, a standard treatment regimen will be recommended based on records of H. pylori resistance rates to antibiotics in a region or locally proven highly effective regimens (equal to or higher than 90% eradication rate). The aim of this review was to define suitable recommendations for local treatment in different cities of Iran.

This review article consists of randomized controlled trials related to H. pylori eradication in Iran. Data including the kind of therapy, number of patients and per-protocol H. pylori eradication rates were recorded in data gathering forms. Data search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar databases from 2018 to December 2023.

According to our review of Iranian articles regarding first-line H. pylori eradication regimens, these treatment protocols could be recommended: Bismuth-clarithromycin quadruple therapy in Ardabil, bismuth-clarithromycin quadruple therapy with probiotics in Birjand, standard triple therapy in Ilam, bismuth quadruple therapy or bismuth triple therapy or concomitant regimen in Sari, sequential therapy in Tehran and bismuth quadruple therapy in Yazd. These regimes can be extended to other regions that have a similar situation. According to the reports of Iranian researchers, a quinolone-containing regimen (levofloxacin preferred) is recommended for second-line eradication therapy.

Various H. pylori eradication regimens can be used as first-line therapy; however, choices for second-line therapy are limited. We recommend the quinolone-containing regimens as the preferred second-line therapy.