The role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in etiopathogenesis of gastritis and/or duodenitis is well recognized and proven. H. pylori infection also concerns children and youth. It was proven that CagA(+) strains of H. pylori cause inflammatory changes and can lead to ulcer disease of ventriculum and/or duodenum.
Aim: The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of urease A and cytotoxicity genes in children with diagnosed H. pylori infection and concomitant gastritis and/or duodenitis as well as to determine the kind and stadium of inflammatory changes in relation to particular strains.
Material and methods: The study was performed in 76 patients aged from 3 to 20 years (average age 12.6), who were qualified for endoscopy of the upper GI tract because of recurrent abdominal pain complaints. The H. pylori infection and accompanying gastritis and/or duodenitis were diagnosed according to the Sydney classification.
Results: In 57/76 (75%) of diagnosed patients the H. pylori infection was proven with the PCR method (ureA (+)). The following strains were found: CagA(+) in 19 (33% infected subjects). Gastritis and/or duodenitis occurred in all subjects infected with CagA (+) strains and in 54/57 of those with H. pylori infection ureA (+). In subjects without infection, gastritis and/or duodenitis was found in 12 persons, and this result was significantly lower.
Conclusions: In diagnosis it is important to confirm H. pylori presence by CagA gene typing because it relates to the inflammatory changes of the stomach and/or duodenum.