MUCOSAL AND SYSTEMIC ANTIBODY-LEVELS AGAINST HELICOBACTER-PYLORI DO NOT PARALLEL GASTRIC INFLAMMATORY CHANGES

Background and Aims. Mucosal and systemic antibodies against Helicobac ter pylori have been detected but their role in the natural history of Helicobacter pylori-related diseases is nuclear. In this study, the l evels of Helicobacter pylori IgG and IgA were related to the grade of gastritis. Patients and Methods. A series of 152 dyspeptic patients un derwent gastroscopy with biopsies. Helicobacter pylori rc ns detected in 131 (86%) patients. Samples of serum and unstimulated saliva were c ollected Helicobacter pylori Ige and IgA were measured in homogenised gastric biopsies, saliva and serum by an in-house enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay. Results. Levels of gastric mucosa, salivary and serum H elicobacter pylori IgG were higher (p less than or equal to 0.01) in H elicobacter pylori positive than negative patients. Likewise, levels o f gastric mucosa and serum Helicobacter pylori IgA were higher (p<0.01 ) in Helicobacter pylori positive patients. Gastric mucosa, saliva and serum Helicobacter pylori antibody levels did not differ between supe rficial and atrophic, active and inactive Helicobacter pylori positive gastritis. Conclusions. These data indicate that gastric inflammatory changes may not necessary be related to the antibody response against Helicobacter pylori.