H. Rautelin et al., GASTRIC INFLAMMATION AND NEUTROPHIL-ACTIVATING AND CYTOTOXIN-PRODUCING HELICOBACTER-PYLORI STRAINS, Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology, 31(7), 1996, pp. 639-642
Background: Some Helicobacter pylori strains activate human neutrophil
s without opsonins and/or produce vacuolating cytotoxin. Methods: Huma
n gastric isolates of H. pylori were studied for their ability to nono
psonized induce an oxidative burst in human neutrophils as measured by
chemiluminescence and for the production of vacuolating cytotoxin. In
all 80 strains were examined, and the type and grade of inflammation
in the gastric biopsy specimens from the antrum and corpus of these pa
tients were assessed in accordance with the Sydney system. Results: CL
+ (rapid, strong response in chemiluminescence) strains (p < 0.0001) a
nd Tox+ I:cytotoxin-producing) strains (p < 0.0001) were associated wi
th higher acute inflammation scores in gastric ulcer patients. CL+ (p
= 0.0002) and Tox+ (p < 0.0001) strains were also associated with high
er chronic inflammation scores in gastric ulcer patients. Conclusions:
CL+ and Tox+ strains seem to cause more severe inflammation in the ga
stric mucosa during H. pylori infection.