Helicobacter pylori infection and respiratory diseases:a review

In the past few years,a variety of extradigestive disorders, including cardiovascular,skin,rheumatic and liver diseases, have been associated with Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori) infection.The activation of inflammatory mediators by H.pylori seems to be the pathogenetic mechanism underlying the observed associations.The present review summarizes the current literature,including our own studies,concerning the association between H.pyloriinfection and respiratory diseases. A small number of epidemiological and serologic,case- control studies suggest that H.pylori infection may be associated with the development of chronic bronchitis.A frequent coexistence of pulmonary tuberculosis and H.pylori infection has also been found.Moreover,recent studies have shown an increased H.pyloriseroprevalence in patients with bronchiectasis and in those with lung cancer.On the other hand,bronchial asthma seems not to be related with H.pylori infection. All associations between H.pylori infection and respiratory diseases are primarily based on case-control studies, concerning relatively small numbers of patients.Moreover, there is a lack of studies focused on the pathogenetic link between respiratory diseases and H.pylori infection. Therefore,we believe that larger studies should be undertaken to confirm the observed results and to clarify the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms.

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C markers among refugees in Athens

AIM: To assess the prevalence of hepatitis B and C serological markers in a population of refugees living in Athens.METHODS: One hundred and thirty refugees (81 males and 49 females, mean age ±SD: 31.7±8 years) were included in the study. The hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg),the hepatitis B virus core antibody (anti-HBc) and the hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) were detected using a third-generation immunoassay.RESULTS: Twenty individuals (15.4%) were HBsAg positive and 69 (53.1%) were anti-HBc positive. The prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBc was higher among refugees from Albania and Asia (statistical significant difference, P＜0.008 and P＜0.001 respectively). The prevalence of these markers was found irrelevant to age or sex. Anti-HCV was detected in the serum of 3 individuals (2.3 %). No differences among age, sex or ethnicity regarding anti-HCV prevalence were found.CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that refugees living in Athens are an immigrant population characterized by a high incidence of HBV infection. The prevalence of HBV markers is higher among refugees from Albania and Asia. It is therefore believed that the adherence to general precautions and the initiation of HBV vaccination programs will be necessary in the future, especially in these communities.Although the prevalence of HCV infection seems to be relatively low, extended epidemiological surveys are needed to provide valid results.

A comparative study on serologic profiles of virus hepatitis B

INTRODUCTIONHepatitis B viral infection, one of the most-prevalent liver disorders in China and Korea, is aserious infectious disease as it has the potential ofprogressing into liver cirrhosis and primary hepaticcarcinoma. China and Korea both belong to high-risk endemic regions of viral hepatitis[1]. TheHBsAg positive rates in China ranged from 6.9% -17.9% by age, race and test methods[2-5].

Lack of association between seroprevalence of Helicobacterpylori infection and primary biliary cirrhosis

AIM:To determine the association between seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori(H pylori)infection and primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC). METHODS:In this case-control study,149 consecutive patients(10 males,139 females,mean age 58.2±11 years, range 26-82 years)suffering from PBC and 619 consecutive healthy volunteer blood donors(523 males,96 females, mean age 47±5.3 years,range 18-65 years)attending the Hospital Blood Bank and residing in the same area were recruited.A commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect anti-H pylori(IgG)antibodies in serum. RESULTS:AnUbodies to Hpyloriwere present in 78(52.3%) out of 149 PBC-patients and in 291(47%)out of 619 volunteers(P=0.24,OR 1.24,95% CI 0.85-1.80).In the subjects less than 60 years old,the prevalence of H pylori infection among PBC-patients(40/79)was slightly higher than in controls(50.6% vs 46.2%)P=0.46,OR=1.19,95% CI:0.72-1.95).In those over 60 years,the prevalence of Hpylori infection was similar between PBC-patients and controls(54.2% vs57.8%,P=0.7,OR 0.86,95% CI 0.36- 2.07). CONCLUSION:There is no association between seroprevalence of H pylori in fection and primary biliary cirrhosis.

Helicobacter pyloriseroprevalence in patients with lung cancer

AIM:To assess Helicobacter pylori(Hpylon)seroprevalence in a cohort of Greek patients with lung cancer. METHODS:Seventy-two lung cancer patients(55 males and 17 females,aged 58.2±11.7 years)and 68,age and gender-matched,control subjects were enrolled.All subjects underwent an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay IgG serologic test for Hpylori diagnosis. RESULTS:A correlation between age and HpyloriIgG level was detected for both lung cancer patients(r=0.42, P=0.004)and controls(r=0.44,P=0.004).Seropositivity for Hpyloridid not differ significantly between patients with lung cancer and controls(61.1% vs 55.9%,P>0.05). Concerning the mean serum concentration of IgG antibodies against Hpylori,no significant difference between the two groups was detected(32.6±19.1 vs 27.4±18.3 U/mL, P>0.05). CONCLUSION:No significant association between Hpylori infection and lung cancer was found.

Seroreactivity against Saccharomyces cerevisiae in patients with Crohn's disease and celiac disease

AIM:To explore whether there was anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) positivity in our patients with biopsy-confirmed celiac disease. METHODS:A cohort of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (42 patients with Crohn's disease and 10 patients with ulcerative colitis) and gluten sensitive enteropathy (16 patients) from Debrecen,Hungary were enrolled in the study. The diagnosis was made using the formally accepted criteria. Perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA) and anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA), antiendomysium antibodies (EMA),antigliadin antibodies (AGA) and anti human tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTGA) were investigated. RESULTS:The results showed that ASCA positivity occurred not only in Crohn's disease but also in Celiac disease and in these cases both the IgG and IgA type antibodies were proved. CONCLUSION:It is conceivable that ASCA positivity correlates with the (auto-) immune inflammation of small intestines and it is a specific marker of Crohn's disease.

Variation in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in children in the region of Asturias,Northern Spain

Background Updated seroprevalence estimates are important to describe the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)landscape and to guide public health decisions.The aims are to describe longitudinal changes in seroprevalence in children in a region in Northern Spain and to analyze factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity.Methods Prospective multicenter longitudinal study with subjects recruited from July to September 2020.Children(up to 14 years old)were included and followed up until September 2021.Venous blood samples were collected every six months during three testing rounds and were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.The data regarding epidemiological features,contact tracing,symptoms,and virological tests were collected.The evolution of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence during the study and the differences between children with positive and negative SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests were analyzed.Results Two hundred children were recruited(50.5%girls,median age 9.7 years).The overall seroprevalence increased from round 1[1.5%,95%confidence interval(CI)0.3%–4.3%]to round 2(9.1%,95%CI 4.6%–12.7%)and round 3(16.6%,95%CI 9.5%–19.6%)(P<0.001).Main changes occurred in children aged zero to four years(P=0.001)who lived in urban areas(P<0.001).None of the children who were previously positive became seronegative.Following multivariable analysis,three variables independently associated with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity were identified:close contact with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)confirmed or suspected cases[odds ratio(OR)=3.9,95%CI 1.2–12.5],previous positive virological test(OR=17.1,95%CI 3.7–78.3)and fatigue(OR=18.1,95%CI 1.7–193.4).Conclusions SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in children has remarkably increased during the time of our study.Fatigue was the only COVID-19-compatible symptom that was more frequent in seropositive than in seronegative children.

Low SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence but high perception of risk among healthcare workers at children’s hospital before second pandemic wave in Germany

Background Healthcare workers are considered a particularly high-risk group during the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic.Healthcare workers in paediatries are a unique subgroup:they come into frequent contact with children,who often experience few or no symptoms when infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS CoV-2)and,therefore,may transmit the disease to unprotected staff.In Germany,no studies exist evaluating the risk of COVID-19 to healthcare workers in paediatric institutions.Methods We tested the staff at a large children's hospital in Germany for immunoglobulin(Ig)G antibodies against the nucle-ocapsid protein of SARS CoV-2 in a period between the first and second epidemic wave in Germany.We used a questionnaire to assess each individual's exposure risk and his/her own perception of having already been infected with SARS-CoV-2.Results We recruited 619 participants from all sectors,clinical and non-clinical,constituting 70%of the entire staff.The seroprevalence of SARS CoV-2 antibodies was 0.325%(95%confidence interval 0.039-I.168).Self-perceived risk of a previ-ous SARS-CoV-2 infection decreased with age(odds ratio,0.81;95%confidence interval,0.70-0.93).Having experienced symptoms more than doubled the odds of a high self-perceived risk(odds ratio,2.18;95%confidence interval,1.59--3.00).There was no significant difference in self perceived risk between men and women.Conclusions Seroprevalence was low among healtheare workers at a large children's hospital in Germany before the second epidemic wave,and it was far from a level that confers herd immunity.Self-perceived risk of infection is often overestimated.

Potential infections of H5N1 and H9N2 avian influenza do exist in Guangdong populations of China

Background Southeast China is one of the sites of influenza origin. During 2003-2004, nine avian influenza outbreaks took place in Guangdong Province. But no human case was reported. To examine the status of potential human infection by human influenza （H1N1, H3N2） and avian influenza （H5N1, H7N7, H9N2） in the avian influenza epidemic area of Guangdong Province, China, we conducted a seroepidemiologic survey in the people of this area from April to June of 2004.Methods Three out of 9 H5N1 avian influenza affected poultry areas in Guangdong were randomly selected, and the population living within 3 kilometers of the affected poultries were chosen as the survey subjects. One thousand two hundred and fourteen people were selected from 3 villages at random. Human and avian influenza antibody titers were determined by hemagglutination-inhibition （HI） test and microneutralization test （MNT）. Results The positive rate of antibody to H5N1 was 3.03% in the occupational exposure group and 2.34% in general citizens group; that of H9N2 was 9.52% in the occupational exposure group and 3.76% in the general citizens group. Moreover one case in the occupational exposure group was positive for H7N7. One year later, all previously positive cases had become negative except for one H5N1-positive case. Conclusion The observations imply that H5N1 and H9N2 avian influenza silent infections exist in Guangdong populations.