SERUM GASTRIN AND PEPSINOGEN-I, PEPSINOGEN-II CONCENTRATIONS IN CHILDREN WITH HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION - THE ROLE OF CAGA AND VACA

Serum gastrin and pepsinogen concentrations were measured in 51 childr en infected with Helicobacter pylori, to investigate the clinical sign ificance and influence of CagA and VacA on serum concentrations of the se peptides. CagA+ was 44/51 (86%) and VacA+ was 42/51 (82%). Type I ( CagA+/VacA+) included 39/51 (76%), type II (CagA-/VacA-) was 4/51 (8%) , and intermediate (CagA-/VacA+, CagA+/VacA-) was 8/51 (16%). There wa s no significant correlation between endoscopic diagnosis and the stat e of CagA/VacA. Serum gastrin concentrations were not significantly co rrelated with the state of CagA/VacA. Serum pepsinogen I and II concen trations were significantly higher in CagA+ than in CagA-, but there w as no significant difference between VacA+ and VacA-. Serum pepsinogen I/II ratio was not significantly correlated with the stare of CagA/Va cA. There was no significant difference between serum concentrations o f gastrin, pepsinogen I and H. pylori phenotypes. However, pepsinogen II concentration was significantly higher in type I than type II. Peps inogen I/II ratio war; significantly lower. in type I and intermediate than in type II. These findings suggest that CagA positivity and phen otype of H. pylori could play a role in the development of upper gastr ointestinal diseases in children.