SPECIFIC NEUTROPHIL HYPORESPONSIVENESS IN CHRONIC HELICOBACTER-PYLORIINFECTION

The release from mucosal neutrophils of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is believed to be an important part of the pathogenesis of Helicobacte r pylori-associated gastritis and duodenal ulcer. In this study, bacte rial sonicates prepared from 1 reference and 29 patient strains were u sed to stimulate ROS release from peripheral blood neutrophils. In 29 H. pylori-positive patients, the neutrophil response toward the homolo gous strain was absent. In contrast, a significant response was observ ed toward the reference strain. In addition, on stimulation of neutrop hils from 29 patients without H. pylori infection, ROS release was sig nificant. The stimulatory effect on neutrophils by FMLP was comparable in the 2 groups. It is concluded that a specific neutrophil hyporespo nsiveness in ROS release toward the homologous H. pylori strain exists . This feature has, to our knowledge, not been described previously fo r neutrophil responses to any human pathogen.