PMID- 10379477
OWN - NLM
STAT- MEDLINE
DCOM- 19990810
LR  - 20061115
IS  - 1125-8055 (Print)
IS  - 1125-8055 (Linking)
VI  - 31
IP  - 3
DP  - 1999 Apr
TI  - Food allergy and Helicobacter pylori infection.
PG  - 186-91
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most antigens reach the immune system through mucosae. 
      Gastrointestinal mucosa is a barrier for alimentary antigens. Inflammatory 
      processes, such as Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis, could alter the 
      integrity of the gastric barrier, increase the mucosal permeability, and enhance 
      crossing of food antigens which may stimulate allergic reactions. PURPOSE: The 
      aim of this study was to establish whether patients with symptomatic food allergy 
      and detectable immunoglobulin E (IgE) to alimentary antigens were infected by 
      Helicobacter pylori more often than controls, and to determine the phenotype of 
      the infecting Helicobacter pylori. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight consecutive 
      patients with symptomatic food allergy and serum IgE to alimentary antigens, and 
      53 consecutive age-matched controls (subjects without food allergy and detectable 
      levels of IgE anti-alimentary antigens) living in the same area and attending the 
      same institution were investigated serologically to determine the prevalence of 
      Helicobacter pylori infection, and an immune response to CagA, a marker of the 
      most pathogenic strains. IgE to alimentary allergens were measured by a 
      commercial kit. RESULTS: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in 
      patients with food allergy and controls was similar (42.1% and 47.1%, 
      respectively). Anti-CagA antibodies in Helicobacter pylori-infected persons were 
      detected in 62.5% of patients with food allergy, and 28.0% of controls (p = 
      0.030, odds ratio = 4.29, RR = 2.23). The mean IgE level to the most common 
      alimentary antigens was increased in CagA-positive, with respect to the 
      CagA-negative, patients. CONCLUSIONS: The enhanced mucosal and inflammatory 
      lesions commonly found in individuals infected by CagA-positive Helicobacter 
      pylori strains could increase the epithelial permeability and render 
      non-selective the passage of allergens which, in atopic persons, could directly 
      stimulate an IgE response. Infection by CagA-positive Helicobacter pylori may 
      increase the risk of food allergy.
FAU - Figura, N
AU  - Figura N
AD  - Institute of Internal Medicine, University of Siena, Italy. figura@unisi.it
FAU - Perrone, A
AU  - Perrone A
FAU - Gennari, C
AU  - Gennari C
FAU - Orlandini, G
AU  - Orlandini G
FAU - Bianciardi, L
AU  - Bianciardi L
FAU - Giannace, R
AU  - Giannace R
FAU - Vaira, D
AU  - Vaira D
FAU - Vagliasinti, M
AU  - Vagliasinti M
FAU - Rottoli, P
AU  - Rottoli P
LA  - eng
PT  - Journal Article
PT  - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
PL  - Italy
TA  - Ital J Gastroenterol Hepatol
JT  - Italian journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
JID - 9711056
RN  - 0 (Antibodies, Bacterial)
RN  - 37341-29-0 (Immunoglobulin E)
SB  - IM
MH  - Adolescent
MH  - Adult
MH  - Aged
MH  - Analysis of Variance
MH  - Antibodies, Bacterial/blood
MH  - Case-Control Studies
MH  - Child
MH  - Comorbidity
MH  - Female
MH  - Food Hypersensitivity/diagnosis/*epidemiology
MH  - Helicobacter Infections/diagnosis/*epidemiology
MH  - Helicobacter pylori/*isolation & purification
MH  - Humans
MH  - Immunoglobulin E/blood
MH  - Incidence
MH  - Male
MH  - Middle Aged
MH  - Reference Values
MH  - Retrospective Studies
MH  - Risk Assessment
MH  - Seroepidemiologic Studies
MH  - Serologic Tests
EDAT- 1999/06/24 00:00
MHDA- 1999/06/24 00:01
CRDT- 1999/06/24 00:00
PHST- 1999/06/24 00:00 [pubmed]
PHST- 1999/06/24 00:01 [medline]
PHST- 1999/06/24 00:00 [entrez]
PST - ppublish
SO  - Ital J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 1999 Apr;31(3):186-91.