Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Most Helicobacter pylori-Infected Patients Have Specific Antibodies, and Some Also Have H. pylori Antigens and Genomic Material in Bile: Is It a Risk Factor for Gallstone Formation?

  • Published:
Digestive Diseases and Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Bile may contain a 130-kDa protein endowed withaminopeptidase activity and the ability to promotecholesterol crystallisation. As > 90% of H. pyloristrains have a similar peptidase activity, and half the isolates express a 110- to 140-kDa antigen, theCagA protein, we investigated a possible associationbetween H. pylori infection and gallstones, and thepresence in bile samples of factors related to H. pylori that could increase cholesterolcrystallization. The prevalence of H. pylori infectionwas 82.1% in 112 patients with gallstones and 80.3% in112 controls (NS). Fifteen bile samples out of 23specimens from infected patients (65.2%) containedanti-CagA antibodies. A ~60-kDa antigen only reactingwith an anti-CagA antibody was found in five bilesamples (21.7%) from 23 infected patients. One bilesample (4.1%) contained ureA and cagA genes of H.pylori. The homology of CagA with the N-terminalsequence of aminopeptidase N was very low. We concludedthat the presence of specific antibody to H. pylori in most bile samples tested and of an H. pyloriputative antigen in a discrete number of cases mayrepresent factors that increase the risk of gallstoneformation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. Blaser MJ: Hypothesis on the pathogenesis and natural history of Helicobacter pylori-induced inflammation. Gastroenterology 102:720-727, 1992

    Google Scholar 

  2. Crabtree JE: Gastric mucosal inflammatory responses to Helicobacter pylori. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 10(suppl 1):29-37, 1996

    Google Scholar 

  3. Parsonnet J, Friedman GD, Vandersteen DP, Chang Y, Vogelman JH, Orentreich N, Sibley RK: Helicobacter pyloriinfection and the risk of gastric carcinoma. N Engl J Med 325:1127-1131, 1991

    Google Scholar 

  4. Parsonnet J: Helicobacter pyloriand gastric cancer. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 22:89-104, 1993

    Google Scholar 

  5. Wotherspoon AC, Ortiz Hidalgo C, Falzon MR, Isaacson PG: Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis and primary B-cell gastric carcinoma. Lancet 338:1175-1176, 1991

    Google Scholar 

  6. Owen RJ, Figura N, Moreno M: Biotypes and DNA fingerprints of cytotoxigenic Helicobacter pylorifrom patients with gastritis and peptic ulceration in Italy. Eur J Epidemiol 8:15-21, 1992

    Google Scholar 

  7. Telford JL, Ghiara P, Dell'Orco M, Comanducci M, Burroni D, Bugnoli M, Tecce MF, Censini S, Covacci A, Xiang Z, Papini E, Montecucco C, Parente L, Rappuoli R: Gene structure of the Helicobacter pyloricytotoxin and evidence of its key role in gastric disease. J Exp Med 179:1653-1658, 1994

    Google Scholar 

  8. Covacci A, Censini S, Bugnoli M, Petracca R, Burroni D, Macchia G, Massone A, Papini E, Xiang Z, Figura N, Rappuoli R: Molecular Characterization of the 128-kDa immunodominant antigen of Helicobacter pyloriassociated with cytotoxicity and duodenal ulcer. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 90:5791-5795, 1993

    Google Scholar 

  9. Xiang Z, Censini S, Bayeli PF, Telford JL, Figura N, Rappuoli R, Covacci A: Analysis of expre ssion of CagA and VacA virulence factors in 43 strains of Helicobacter pylorireveals that the clinical isolates can be divided into two major types and that CagA is not necessary for expression of the vacuolating toxin. Infect Immun 63:94-98, 1995

    Google Scholar 

  10. Figura N, Guglielmetti P, Rossolini A, Barberi A, Cusi MG, Musmanno RA, Russi M, Quaranta S: Cytotoxin production by Campylobacter pyloristrains isolated from patients with peptic ulcer and from patients with chronic gastritis only. J Clin Microbiol 27:225-226, 1989

    Google Scholar 

  11. Cover TL, Cao P, Murthy UK, Sipple MS, Blaser MJ: Serum neutralizing antibody response to the vacuolating cytotoxin of Helicobacter pylori. J Clin Invest 90:913-918, 1992

    Google Scholar 

  12. Goossens H, Glupczynski Y, Burette A, Lambert J-P, Vlaes L, Butzler J-P: Role of the vacuolating toxin from Helicobacter pyloriin the pathogenesis of duodenal and gastric ulcer. Med Microbiol Lett 1:153-159, 1992

    Google Scholar 

  13. Rautelin H, Blomberg B, Fredlund H, Järnerot G, Danielsson D: Incidence of Helicobacter pyloristrains activating neutrophils in patients with peptic ulcer disease. Gut 34:599-603, 1993

    Google Scholar 

  14. Phadnis SH, Ilver D, Janzon L, Normark S, Westblom TU: Pathological significance and molecular characterization of the vacuolating toxin gene of Helicobacter pylori. Infect Immun 62:1557-1565, 1994

    Google Scholar 

  15. Housson M-O, Gottrand F, Vachee A, Dhaenens L, Martin de la Salle E, Turck D, Houcke M, Leclerc H: Importance in diagnosis of gastritis of detection by PCR of the cagAgene in Helicobacter pyloristrains isolated from children. J Clin Microbiol 33:3300-3303, 1995

    Google Scholar 

  16. Oderda G, Figura N, Bayeli PF, Basagni C, Bugnoli M, Arme-llini D, Altare F, Ansaldi N: Serologic IgG recognition of Helicobacter pyloricytotoxin-associated protein, peptic ulcer and gastroduodenal pathology in childhood. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 5:695-699, 1993

    Google Scholar 

  17. Crabtree JE, Taylor JD, Wyatt JI, Heatley RV, Shallcross TM, Tompkins DS, Rathbone BJ: Mucosal IgA recognition of Helicobacter pylori120 kDa protein, peptic ulceration, and gastric pathology. Lancet 338:332-335, 1991

    Google Scholar 

  18. Tebbe B, Geilen CC, Schulzke J-D, Bojarski C, Radenhausen M, Orfanos CE: Helicobacter pyloriinfection and chronic urticaria. J Am Acad Dermatol 34:685-686, 1996

    Google Scholar 

  19. Mendall MA, Goggin PM, Molineaux N, Levy J, Toosy T, Strachan D, Camm J, Northfield TC: Relation of Helicobacter pyloriinfection and coronary heart disease. Br Heart J 71:437-439, 1994

    Google Scholar 

  20. Patel P, Mendall MA, Khulusi S, Strachan DP: Helicobacter pyloriinfection in childhood: Risk factors and effect on growth. Br Med J 309:1119-1123, 1994

    Google Scholar 

  21. Offner GD, Gong D, Afdhal NH: Identification of a 130-kilodalton human biliary concavalin A binding protein as aminopeptidase N. Gastroenterology 106:755-762, 1994

    Google Scholar 

  22. Reina J, Salva F, Gil J, Parras F, Alomar P: Biochemical characteristics of Campylobacter pyloristrains isolated from gastric biopsies. InGastroduodenal Pathology and Campylobacter pylori. F Mégraud, H Lamouliatte (eds). Amsterdam, Elsevier Science Publishers, 1989, pp 21-24

    Google Scholar 

  23. Kawaguchi M, Saito T, Ohno H, Midorokawa S, Sanji T, Handa Y, Morita S, Yoshida H, Tsurui M, Misaka R, Hirota T, Saito M, Minami K: Bacteria closely resembling Helicobacter pyloridetected immunohistologically and genetically in re-sected gallbladder mucosa. J Gastroenterol 31:294-298, 1996

    Google Scholar 

  24. Cetta F: The natural history of gallstones. A reappraisal. Gastroenterology 108(suppl):A412, 1995

    Google Scholar 

  25. Cetta F: Bile infection documented as initial event in the pathogenesis of brown pigment biliary stones. Hepatology 6:482-489, 1986

    Google Scholar 

  26. Cetta F: The role of bacteria in pigment gallstone disease. Ann Surg 213:315-326, 1991

    Google Scholar 

  27. Harvey PRC, Upadhya GA, Strasberg SM: Immunoglobulins as nucleating proteins in the gallbladder bile of patients with cholesterol gallstones. J Biol Chem 266:13996-14003, 1991

    Google Scholar 

  28. Clayton CL, Kleanthous H, Coates PJ, Morgan DD, Tabaqchali S: Sensitive detection of Helicobacter pyloriby using the polymerase chain reaction. J Clin Microbiol 30:192-200, 1992

    Google Scholar 

  29. Cetta F: Bacteria and pathogenesis of gallstones. Gastroenterology 109:2050-2052, 1995

    Google Scholar 

  30. Swidsinski A, Ludwig W, Pahlig H, Priem F: Molecular genetic evidence of bacterial colonization of cholesterol gallstones. Gastroenterology 108:860-864, 1995

    Google Scholar 

  31. Carey MC, O'Donovan MA: Gallstone disease; current concepts on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and management. InHarrison's Principles of Internal Medicine—Update V. RG Petersford (ed). New York, McGraw-Hill, 1984, pp 145-183

    Google Scholar 

  32. Mégraud F: Epidemiology of Helicobacter pyloriinfection. In Helicobacter pyloriand Gastroduodenal Disease, 2nd ed. BJ Rathbone, RV Heatley (eds). Oxford, Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1992, pp 107-123

    Google Scholar 

  33. Jørgensen T, Jensen KH: Eleven-year cumulated incidence of gallstone formation in an unselected Danish population. Gastroenterology 110(suppl):A21, 1996

    Google Scholar 

  34. Norrby S, Fagerberg G, Sjödahl R: Decreasing incidence of gallstone disease in a definite Swedish population. Scand J Gastroenterol 21:158-162, 1986

    Google Scholar 

  35. von Chaoui Z, Reinbacher L: Cholelithiasis nach Magenresektion? Zbl Chir 107:201 - 205, 1982

    Google Scholar 

  36. Mai UHE, Pérez-Pérez G, Allen JB, Wahl SM, Blaser MJ, Smith PD: Surface protein from Helicobacter pyloriexhibit chemotactic activity for human leukocytes and are present in gastric mucosa. J Exp Med 175:517-525, 1992

    Google Scholar 

  37. Yoshida N, Granger DN, Evans DJ Jr, Evans DG, Graham DY, Anderson DC, Wolf RE, Kvietys PR: Mechanisms involved in Helicobacter pylori-induced inflammation. Gastroenterology 105:1431-1440, 1993

    Google Scholar 

  38. Kurose I, Granger DN, Evans DJ Jr, Evans DG, Graham DY, Miyasaka M, Anderson DC, Wolf RE, Cepinskas G, Kvietys PR: Helicobacter pylori-induced microvascular protein leakage in rats: Role of neutrophils, mast cells, and platelets. Gastroente-rology 107:70-79, 1994

    Google Scholar 

  39. Cetta F: Do surgical and endoscopic sphincterotomy prevent or facilitate recurrent common duct stone formation? Arch Surg 128:329-336, 1993

    Google Scholar 

  40. Hornick RB: Enteric fever. InInfections of the Gastrointestinal Tract. MJ Blaser, PD Smith, JI Ravdin, HB Greenberg, RL Guerrant (eds). New York, Raven Press, 1995, pp 325-332

    Google Scholar 

  41. Ansorg R, Müller K-D, von Recklinghausen G, Nalik HP: Cholesterol binding of Helicobacter pylori. Zbl Bakteriol 276:323-329, 1992

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. N. Figura
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. Cetta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Angelico
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. G. Montalto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. D. Cetta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. L. Pacenti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. C. Vindigni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. D. Vaira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. F. Festuccia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. A. De Santis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. G. Rattan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. R. Giannace
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. S. Campagna
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  14. C. Gennari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Figura, N., Cetta, F., Angelico, M. et al. Most Helicobacter pylori-Infected Patients Have Specific Antibodies, and Some Also Have H. pylori Antigens and Genomic Material in Bile: Is It a Risk Factor for Gallstone Formation?. Dig Dis Sci 43, 854–862 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018838719590

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018838719590

Search

Navigation