Helicobacter pylori Infection in Children with Celiac Disease: Prevalence and Clinicopathologic Features

• Published in: Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition Vol. 28; no. 2; pp. 143 - 146
• Main Authors: Luzza, Francesco, Mancuso, Maria, Imeneo, Maria, Mesuraca, Luigi, Contaldo, Antonio, Giancotti, Laura, La Vecchia, Anna M., Docimo, Corrado, Pensabene, Licia, Strisciuglio, Pietro, Pallone, Francesco, Guandalini, Stefano
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc 01.02.1999; Lippincott
• Subjects: Abdominal Pain; Adolescent; Antibodies, Bacterial - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy; Celiac disease; Celiac Disease - diagnosis; Celiac Disease - microbiology; Celiac Disease - pathology; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Gastric Mucosa - pathology; Gastritis; Gastritis - microbiology; Gastritis - pathology; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Helicobacter Infections - epidemiology; Helicobacter pylori; Helicobacter pylori - immunology; Humans; Infant; Lymphocytic gastritis; Lymphoid follicles; Male; Medical sciences; Other diseases. Semiology; Recurrent abdominal pain; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Human; Immunopathology; Prevalence; Spirillales; Spirillaceae; Gastroscopy; Coeliac disease; Epidemiology; Gastritis; Infection; Symptomatology; Histopathology; Helicobacter pylori; Intestinal malabsorption; Bacteriosis; Digestive diseases; Bacteria; Intestinal disease; Complication; Endoscopy; Child; Public health; Gastric disease
• ISSN: 0277-2116; 1536-4801
• DOI: 10.1002/j.1536-4801.1999.tb02027.x

ABSTRACT Background: Celiac disease is frequently associated with chronic gastritis. Helicobacter pylori is the main etiologic agent of chronic gastritis. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of H. pylori, the related symptoms, and the endoscopic and histologic gastric features in children with celiac disease. Methods: Eight‐one (24 boys, 57 girls; age range: 1.4‐17.7 years, median 6.8) children with celiac disease were studied. All children had a blood sample taken. In a subgroup of 30 children who underwent endoscopy, three gastric biopsy specimens were taken for histology (hematoxylin and eosin, Giemsa, immunohistochemistry) and urease quick test. Symptom complaints were recorded. Age‐ and sex‐matched (one case, one control) children without celiac disease were used for comparison. Serum H. pylori IgG were measured by means of a locally validated commercial enzyme‐linked immunoassay. Results: Overall, 15 of 81 (18.5%) children with celiac disease and 14 of 81 (17.3%) control children were positive for H. pylori. The percentage of H. pylori positivity was similar in children with untreated and treated celiac disease. Recurrent abdominal pain was the only symptom that helped to distinguish between H. pylori‐positive and H. pylori‐negative children. However, symptoms disappeared in patients with celiac disease after gluten withdrawal, irrespective of H. pylori status. All endoscopic (erythema, nodularity) and histologic (superficial‐, interstitial‐, lymphocytic‐gastritis, activity, lymphoid follicles) findings did not differ between celiac and nonceliac H. pylori‐positive children. Conclusions: Prevalence and clinical expressivity of H. pylori infection is not increased in children with celiac disease. The clinicopathologic pattern of the infection is not specifically influenced in this condition.