Serum antibodies to Helicobacter hepaticus and Helicobacter pylori in patients with chronic liver disease. Issue 3 (1st March 2000)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nilsson, I; Lindgren, S; Eriksson, S; Wadström, T
• Is Part Of: Gut. Volume 46:Issue 3(2000)
• Page Start: 410
• Page End: 414
• Publication Date: 2000-03-01
• Subjects: Helicobacter hepaticus -- Helicobacter pylori -- chronic liver diseases -- primary sclerosing cholangitis -- enzyme immunoassay -- immunoblot; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; 616.33
• DOI: 10.1136/gut.46.3.410
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0017-5749

Abstract

Abstract : BACKGROUND: Bile tolerant helicobacter species such as H hepaticus and H bilis have frequently been reported to cause hepatitis in mice and other rodents. AIMS: To investigate the possible pathogenic role of these and other helicobacter species in chronic liver disease in humans. METHODS: Serum samples from 144 patients with various chronic liver diseases, 30 patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and 48 healthy blood donors were analysed for antibodies against H hepaticus murine strain CCUG 33637 and H pylori strain CCUG 17874. Cell surface proteins of H hepaticus were extracted by acid glycine buffer and used in an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and immunoblot (IB). RESULTS: 56 of 144 (39%) patients with chronic liver diseases and six of 30 (20%) with PSC showed increased antibody concentrations in the H hepaticus EIA; in the H pylori EIA the numbers were 58% and 13% respectively. Compared with the healthy blood donors the antibody reactivity against the two helicobacter species was not increased (46% and 48% respectively). Patient serum samples retested by the H hepaticus EIA after absorption with sonicated H pylori cells remained positive in 12 of 37 (33%) serum samples. Distinct antibody reactivity to 55–65 kDa proteins was observed by H hepaticus IB, after the absorption step, and was considered specific for H hepaticus . These 12 serum samples were from patients with chronic alcoholic liver disease. CONCLUSIONS: Antibodies to H hepaticus, often cross reacting with H pylori, occur frequently in patients with chronic liver diseases, with no clear cut relation to specific diagnostic groups. The pathogenic significance of these findings is not known.