A. Armuzzi

Efficacy of different Helicobacter pylori eradication regimens in patients affected by insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Background: Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) are often affected by chronic infections; antibiotic absorption, however, may be influenced by the disease. H. pylori eradication appears to be reduced in IDDM patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of the most common H. pylori eradication regimens in a population of IDDM-infected patients. Methods: One hundred and seventy-two IDDM patients were evaluated. H. pylori infection was assessed through the 13C-urea breath test. Infected patients were randomly assigned to three different standard 7-day eradication regimens: 1) amoxicillin, clarithromycin, pantoprazole; 2) tinidazole, clarithromycin, ranitidine bismuth citrate; or 3) tinidazole, clarithromycin, pantoprazole. Patients in whom eradication was not successful in the first cycle were subsequently submitted to a 7-day therapy with tinidazole, tetracycline, bismuth, and pantoprazole. Results: Thirty-seven per cent of IDDM patients were infected. None of the triple therapies used provided an eradication higher than 62%. Conversely, the quadruple regimen was successful in 88% of the patients. Ten per cent of the subjects undergoing the triple therapies showed minor side effects, without significant differences among groups, whereas side effects occurred in 25% of the patients treated with the quadruple therapy (P < 0.05). Conclusions: IDDM patients show a low H. pylori eradication rate with a standard triple therapy regardless of the regimen utilized, the dosage and/or the duration of the therapy used appearing not to be sufficient to eradicate the infection efficiently. The use of a quadruple regimen leads to the cure of a large percentage of the infected patients in whom the eradication was unsuccessful in the first therapy, although it is accompanied by a greater incidence of minor side effects.BACKGROUNDnPatients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) are often affected by chronic infections; antibiotic absorption, however, may be influenced by the disease. H. pylori eradication appears to be reduced in IDDM patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of the most common H. pylori eradication regimens in a population of IDDM-infected patients.nnnMETHODSnOne hundred and seventy-two IDDM patients were evaluated. H. pylori infection was assessed through the 13C-urea breath test. Infected patients were randomly assigned to three different standard 7-day eradication regimens: 1) amoxicillin, clarithromycin, pantoprazole; 2) tinidazole, clarithromycin, ranitidine bismuth citrate; or 3) tinidazole, clarithromycin, pantoprazole. Patients in whom eradication was not successful in the first cycle were subsequently submitted to a 7-day therapy with tinidazole, tetracycline, bismuth, and pantoprazole.nnnRESULTSnThirty-seven per cent of IDDM patients were infected. None of the triple therapies used provided an eradication higher than 62%. Conversely, the quadruple regimen was successful in 88% of the patients. Ten per cent of the subjects undergoing the triple therapies showed minor side effects, without significant differences among groups, whereas side effects occurred in 25% of the patients treated with the quadruple therapy (P < 0.05).nnnCONCLUSIONSnIDDM patients show a low H. pylori eradication rate with a standard triple therapy regardless of the regimen utilized, the dosage and/or the duration of the therapy used appearing not to be sufficient to eradicate the infection efficiently. The use of a quadruple regimen leads to the cure of a large percentage of the infected patients in whom the eradication was unsuccessful in the first therapy, although it is accompanied by a greater incidence of minor side effects.

Helicobacter pylori CagA-positive Strains Affect Oxygen Free Radicals Generation by Gastric Mucosa

Background: Helicobacter pylori plays a key role in production of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs). However, the importance of virulent CagA-positive H. pylori strains remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to assess ROMs production in gastric biopsies of patients infected by H. pylori. Results were correlated to CagA status and acute inflammatory infiltration. Methods: Patients undergoing gastroscopy were enrolled. H. pylori infection was assessed by histology and 13C urea breath test. CagA status was assessed through serology. ROMs were assayed in gastric biopsies by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (CLS). Gastric mucosal inflammation was histologically graded and neutrophils were individually counted. Macroscopical damage was scored according to a modified Lanza score. Results: 40 out of 60 patients evaluated were H. pylori (HP) positive. Of the 40 infected patients, 24 were CagA-positive. CLS emission was significantly higher in HP-CagA-positive patients than in HP-CagA-negatives and uninfected. ROMs production showed a significant correlation to neutrophil infiltrate in all groups. Conclusions: Gastric mucosa of patients infected by HP-CagA-positive strains is characterized by a higher generation of ROMs and by greater neutrophil counts than that observed in HP-CagA-negative subjects. Since ROMs production is associated with DNA oxidative damage, a long-term stimulation by these strains might be relevant in the pathogenesis of gastric malignancies. Assessment of CagA status might be useful to discriminate patients in which H. pylori eradication is advisable.BACKGROUNDnHelicobacter pylori plays a key role in production of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs). However, the importance of virulent CagA-positive H. pylori strains remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to assess ROMs production in gastric biopsies of patients infected by H. pylori. Results were correlated to CagA status and acute inflammatory infiltration.nnnMETHODSnPatients undergoing gastroscopy were enrolled. H. pylori infection was assessed by histology and 13C urea breath test. CagA status was assessed through serology. ROMs were assayed in gastric biopsies by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (CLS). Gastric mucosal inflammation was histologically graded and neutrophils were individually counted. Macroscopical damage was scored according to a modified Lanza score.nnnRESULTSn40 out of 60 patients evaluated were H. pylori (HP) positive. Of the 40 infected patients, 24 were CagA-positive. CLS emission was significantly higher in HP-CagA-positive patients than in HP-CagA-negatives and uninfected. ROMs production showed a significant correlation to neutrophil infiltrate in all groups.nnnCONCLUSIONSnGastric mucosa of patients infected by HP-CagA-positive strains is characterized by a higher generation of ROMs and by greater neutrophil counts than that observed in HP-CagA-negative subjects. Since ROMs production is associated with DNA oxidative damage, a long-term stimulation by these strains might be relevant in the pathogenesis of gastric malignancies. Assessment of CagA status might be useful to discriminate patients in which H. pylori eradication is advisable.

Helicobacter pylori Infection Affects Eosinophilic Cationic Protein in the Gastric Juice of Patients with Idiopathic Chronic Urticaria

Background:Helicobacter pylori, the main cause of gastritis and peptic ulcer, has been associated with idiopathic chronic urticaria (ICU), an immunological skin disorder of unknown origin. Eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) is a cytotoxic molecule secreted by the activated eosinophils involved in the pathogenesis of ICU. We assessed serum/gastric juice ECP levels and gastric mucosal eosinophil infiltration in ICU patients infected or not with H. pylori and evaluated the modification after bacterium eradication. Methods: 33 patients with ICU and 25 dyspeptic controls underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for histological evaluation and assessment of H. pylori infection. One-week triple therapy was given to H. pylori-positive patients. Serum and gastric juice ECP levels, eosinophil infiltration from gastric mucosal sections and urticaria symptoms were evaluated in all patients at enrolment and 8 weeks after eradication. Results: 19 of 33 (57%) ICU patients and 16 of 25 (64%) controls were found to be infected with H. pylori. Serum ECP was significantly higher in ICU patients compared to controls, regardless of infectious status. Gastric juice ECP and gastric eosinophil infiltration were significantly higher in infected ICU patients when compared both to uninfected ICU patients and controls. H. pylori eradication determined a significant decrease in gastric juice ECP and gastric eosinophil infiltration only in ICU patients. Moreover, a total or partial remission of urticaria symptoms was observed only in ICU patients in whom the bacterium was eradicated. Conclusions: Although H. pylori infection affects gastric juice ECP and eosinophil infiltration of ICU patients, the role of the bacterium in the pathogenesis of this skin disorder still remains uncertain.

Infliximab: A Review of Its Use in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody against anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha that has changed the management of inflammatory bowel diseases. Our review describes its mean clinical and pharmacological features, in order to resume its efficacy in induction and maintenance of clinical remission in both Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Although its efficacy in induction and maintenance of remission has been established by several clinical trials, the administration of Infliximab is also associated with an increased risk of side effects, in particular in long-term treatment. We also discussed about issues regarding the correct timing to start and to stop biological therapy.

Family history of peptic ulcer and a positive 13C urea breath test are predictive of gastroduodenal ulcer disease in uninvestigated dyspeptic patients

Background/Aim: H. pylori (HP) infection plays an important role in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease. As dyspeptic symptoms are common in the general population, cost-effective strategies have attempted to substitute endoscopy with non-invasive tests for HP status. In this study we evaluated the ability of the 13C urea breath test and other risk factors to predict peptic ulcer disease. Methods: Patients referred to our Gastrointestinal Unit for investigation of dyspepsia were invited to take part in the study. Exclusion criteria were: previous dyspepsia workup, chronic treatment with NSAIDs and use (within the last month) of antibiotics, PPI, H2RA, bismuth preparations. Two hundred seven consecutive dyspeptic patients answered a standard questionnaire and were submitted to the 13C urea breath test and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (FUJINON EG7-HR2). The Pearson Chi-square test, followed by Logistic regression analysis, was used to identify risk factors independently associated with peptic ulcer disease. Results: The study population included 118 HP-positive (mean age: 47:1: 13; M/F ratio=l.03) and 89 HP-negative (mean age: 38:1: 16; M/F ratio=l.02). Peptic ulcer disease (gastric or duodenal ulcer and erosive duodenitis) was found in 44 patients (21.3%), 37 HP-positive (31.4%) and 7 HP-negative (7.8%). HP infection (p < 0.0001), family history of peptic ulcer disease (p < 0.0001) and male sex (p < 0.005) were significantly associated with endoscopic findings of peptic ulcer disease. Logistic regression analysis revealed, however, that only the former two (OR=2.70, multivariate p < 0.001; OR=2.72, multivariate p < 0.0001, respectively) were significant independent predictors of peptic ulcer disease. Conclusions: Our results confirm that non-invasive H. pylori testing can predict gastroduodenal ulcer disease, particularly when the family history is positive for the latter. This fact should be considered in developing costeffective strategies for the workup of dyspepsia.