Associação das variantes da região carboxiterminal do gene cagA de Helicobacter pylori com o desenvolvimento de distúrbios gastroduodenais em Belém-Pará

Helicobacter pylori CagA cytotoxin, encoded by the cagA gene, has been associated with increased inflammatory response in gastric tissue and the change in control of cell growth and proliferation. Activation of this cytotoxin occurs by phosphorylation in specific tyrosine residues within an amino acid sequence termed motif EPIYA, four types of motifs are described in the literature (EPIYA-A,-B-C and D). However, the site EPIYA-C is the most common site of phosphorylation of CagA protein of the bacterial strains isolated in Western countries, may still be found in repetitions. This study aimed to determine the types of motifs EPIYA of CagA present in patients with gastritis and gastric cancer and its association with these diseases. Were collected samples from gastric biopsies of 384 patients infected with H. pylori, of this 194 presented chronic gastritis and 190 had gastric cancer. The gastric biopsy was used for bacterial DNA extraction and analysis of the cagA gene by PCR. The prevalence of gastric cancer occurs in males, mean age 58 years. The cagA gene was more prevalent in patients with gastric cancer, showing association with a higher degree of inflammation, neutrophil activity and development of intestinal metaplasia (OR = 4,31, IC 95% = 2,71-6,87, p <10-3; OR = 3,57, IC 95% = 2,18 – 5,84, p <10-3; OR = 11,11, IC 95% = 5,48 – 22,30, p <10-3; OR = 3,65, IC 95% = 1,50-8,88, p=0,004, respectively). The number of repetitions EPIYA-C site was significantly associated with increased risk of gastric cancer (OR = 2,99, IC 95% = 1,53-5,82, p <10-3). The higher number of motifs EPIYA-C was also associated with intestinal metaplasia (p = 0,02). In this study the infection by strains of H. pylori carriers cagA gene with more than one motif EPIYA-C shown to be associated with the development of intestinal metaplasia and gastric cancer, but without an association to neutrophil activity and degree of inflammation.CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e TecnológicoA citotoxina CagA do Helicobacter pylori, codificada pelo gene cagA, é associada ao aumento da resposta inflamatória do tecido gástrico e a alteração do controle do crescimento e proliferação celular. A ativação desta citotoxina ocorre pela fosforilação em resíduos específicos de tirosina dentro de uma sequência de aminoácidos denominada motif EPIYA, sendo quatro os tipos de motifs descritos na literatura (EPIYA-A,-B,-C e-D). Contudo, o sítio EPIYA-C constitui o local mais comum de fosforilação de proteínas CagA das cepas bacterianas isoladas nos países ocidentais, podendo ainda ser encontrado em repetições. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo determinar os tipos de motifs EPIYA de CagA presentes em pacientes com gastrite e adenocarcinoma gástrico e sua associação com estas doenças. Foram coletadas amostras de biópsias gástricas de 384 pacientes infectados por H. pylori, dos quais 194 apresentavam gastrite crônica e 190 adenocarcinoma gástrico. As biópsia gástrica foram utilizadas para análise histológica, extração de DNA bacteriano e análise do gene cagA por PCR. Houve predomínio de adenocarcinoma gástrico no sexo masculino, com média de idade de 58 anos. O gene cagA foi mais prevalente nos pacientes com câncer gástrico, apresentando associação com maior grau de inflamação, atividade neutrofílica e desenvolvimento de metaplasia intestinal (OR = 4,31, IC 95% = 2,71-6,87, p <10-3; OR = 3,57, IC 95% = 2,18 – 5,84, p <10-3; OR = 11,11, IC 95% = 5,48 – 22,30, p <10-3; OR = 3,65, IC 95% = 1,50-8,88, p=0,004, respectivamente). O número de repetições do sítio EPIYA C foi significativamente associada com o aumento do risco de carcinoma gástrico (OR = 2,99, IC 95% = 1,53-5,82, p <10-3) e o maior número de motifs EPIYA C também foi associado com metaplasia intestinal (p = 0,02). Neste estudo a infecção por cepas de H. pylori portadoras do gene cagA com mais de um motif EPIYA-C demonstrou associação com o desenvolvimento de metaplasia intestinal e adenocarcinoma gástrico, entretanto, não apresentou associação com a atividade neutrofílica e grau de inflamação

ROLE OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION AND LIFESTYLE HABITS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF GASTRODUODENAL DISEASES IN A POPULATION FROM THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON

Context Although more than half of the world's population is colonized with Helicobacter pylori, it remains unknown why this organism is able to produce severe disease in some hosts and be innocuous in others. The clinical outcome of infection is determined by several factors, including differences in the host response to bacterial stimulation, specific virulence factors of the organism and environmental influences, or a combination of these factors. Objectives This study compared the prevalence of H. pylori infection and risk factors (infection with CagA+ strains, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and inadequate eating habits) between patients with different gastrointestinal disorders and associated these risk factors with the histopathological findings. Methods In a prospective study, samples were collected from 442 patients and a standardized questionnaire regarding lifestyle habits (excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and eating habits) was applied. The presence of H. pylori and of the cagA gene was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Gastric biopsies were obtained for histological assessment. Results The frequency of alcohol consumption, smoking, inadequate diet and infection with CagA+ H. pylori was higher among patients with peptic ulcer and adenocarcinoma when compared to those with gastritis. Gastric inflammation was more pronounced in patients infected with CagA+ strains. Conclusion We conclude that infection with CagA+ H. pylori strains, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and inadequate eating habits increase the risk of developing peptic ulcer and gastric carcinoma

Infecção pelo Helicobacter pylori e perfil imunológico em pacientes com diferentes doenças gastroduodenais

The association between infection with Helicobacter pylori and different gastroduodenal diseases is related to bacterial, host and environmental factors. Studies have demonstrated an association between the genetic diversity of H. pylori, especially in the vacA and cagA genes, and the development of digestive diseases such as peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. In addition, the nature of the host inflammatory response may explain these different manifestations of infection caused by this microorganism. In this respect, host factors that regulate the immune and inflammatory responses involving the functional interaction of H. pylori infection with different components of the immune system, particularly T cells, in gastroduodenal diseases still need further investigation. Objective: To characterize the immune response, including immunity induced by infection with H. pylori, especially virulent strains (vacA alleles and cagA gene), by analyzing the cytokine profile and T-cell population present in gastroduodenal diseases in a Brazilian population. Methods: In a prospective study, gastric biopsies were collected from 554 patients with different gastroduodenal diseases for histological analysis and for the determination of bacterial genotype and cytokine production (IL-4, IL-10, IFN-γ and IL-12) by ELISA. Results: The predominant genotype of the H. pylori strains isolated from the patients studied was s1m1cagA+, which was more common among patients with gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer and gastric cancer. A significant association was observed between the s1m1cagA+ genotype and a higher degree of inflammation, higher neutrophil activity and the development of intestinal metaplasia. The gastric concentrations of IFN-γ and IL-12 were significantly higher in patients infected with H. pylori than in uninfected individuals. Higher levels of these cytokines were detected in patients with gastric ulcer and cancer, while the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in the gastric mucosa were lower in these patients. In addition, IFN-γ and IL-12 concentrations in gastric biopsies were higher in patients infected with the virulent s1m1cagA+ genotype. In contrast, IL-4 and IL-10 levels were higher in tissue infected with s2m2cagA in gastric biopsies. Conclusion: Our study shows that the interaction between the type of infectious strain and the Th1 immune response can influence and perpetuate gastric inflammation, and thus contributes to the development of the different clinical manifestations of H. pylori infection.A associação da infecção por Helicobacter pylori com diferentes doenças gastroduodenais pode estar associada a fatores bacterianos, do hospedeiro e do ambiente. Nesse contexto, estudos têm demonstrado que a diversidade genética do H. pylori, sobretudo nos genes vacA e cagA, está associada ao desenvolvimento de doenças gastroduodenais como a úlcera péptica e o câncer gástrico. Além disso, a natureza da resposta inflamatória do hospedeiro pode explicar essas diferentes manifestações da infecção por esse microrganismo. Portanto, fatores do hospedeiro que regulam as respostas imunológica e inflamatória, envolvendo a interação funcional da infecção por H. pylori com diferentes membros do compartimento imunológico, especialmente respostas imunes de células T nas doenças gastroduodenais, ainda precisam ser melhor estudados. Objetivo: Caracterizar a resposta imune, incluindo imunidade induzida por infecção pelo H. pylori, especialmente com cepas virulentas de H. pylori (alelos vacA e gene cagA), através da análise do perfil de citocinas e da caracterização da população de células T presentes em doenças gastroduodenais em nossa população. Métodos: Em um estudo prospectivo, foram coletadas biópsias gástricas de 554 pacientes portadores das diferentes doenças gastroduodenais. Nas amostras biológicas destes pacientes foi realizada a determinação do genótipo bacteriano e a detecção das citocinas IL-4, IL-10, INF-γ e IL-12 através do método Elisa. Foram obtidas biópsias gástricas para avaliação histológica. Resultados: Observamos que o genótipo predominante nas cepas de H. pylori isoladas dos pacientes estudados foi s1m1cagA positivo, sendo mais frequentes entre os pacientes com úlcera gástrica, úlcera duodenal e câncer gástrico. Houve associação significativa das cepas com o genótipo s1m1cagA positivo com maior grau de inflamação, atividade neutrofílica e desenvolvimento de metaplasia intestinal. As concentrações gástricas de INF-γ e IL-12 foram significativamente mais elevadas em pacientes infectados pelo H. pylori do que nos não infectados. Foram detectados níveis mais elevados dessas citocinas nos portadores de úlcera e câncer gástrico, sendo que nesses pacientes foram observados níveis mais baixos de IL-4 e IL-10 na mucosa gástrica. Além disso, as concentrações de INF-γ e IL-12 em biópsias gástricas, foram mais elevadas nos pacientes portadores das cepas bacterianas virulentas s1m1cagA+. Contrariamente, os níveis de IL-4 e IL-10 foram maiores em tecido infectado por cepas s2m2cagA. Pacientes com maior grau de inflamação, de atividade neutrofílica e presença de metaplasia intestinal, apresentaram níveis mais elevados de INF-γ e IL-12 e uma concentração mais baixa de IL-4 e IL-10 nas biópsias gástricas. Conclusão: Nosso estudo demonstra que a interação entre o tipo de cepa infectante e resposta imunológica com perfil Th1, podem influenciar e perpetuar a inflamação gástrica contribuindo para o desenvolvimento de diferentes manifestações clínicas na infecção pelo H. pylori.SILVA, A. V.; FECURY, A. A.; MARTINS, L. C. Universidade Federal do Par

HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION AND IMMUNE PROFILE OF PATIENTS WITH DIFFERENT GASTRODUODENAL DISEASES

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The association between infection with Helicobacter pylori and different gastroduodenal diseases is related to bacterial, host and environmental factors. Studies have demonstrated an association between the genetic diversity of H. pylori, especially in the vacA and cagA genes, and the development of digestive diseases such as peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. In addition, the nature of the host inflammatory response may explain these different manifestations of infection caused by this microorganism. In this respect, host factors that regulate the immune and inflammatory responses involving the functional interaction of H. pylori infection with different components of the immune system, particularly T cells, in gastroduodenal diseases still need further investigation. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the immune response, including immunity induced by infection with H. pylori, especially virulent strains (vacA alleles and cagA gene), by analyzing the cytokine profile and T-cell population present in gastroduodenal diseases in a Brazilian population. METHODS: In a prospective study, gastric biopsies were collected from 554 patients with different gastroduodenal diseases for histological analysis and for the determination of bacterial genotype and cytokine production (IL-4, IL-10, IFN-γ and IL-12) by ELISA. RESULTS: The predominant genotype of the H. pylori strains isolated from the patients studied was s1m1cagA+, which was more common among patients with gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer and gastric cancer. A significant association was observed between the s1m1cagA+ genotype and a higher degree of inflammation, higher neutrophil activity and the development of intestinal metaplasia. The gastric concentrations of IFN-γ and IL-12 were significantly higher in patients infected with H. pylori than in uninfected individuals. Higher levels of these cytokines were detected in patients with gastric ulcer and cancer, while the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in the gastric mucosa were lower in these patients. In addition, IFN-γ and IL-12 concentrations in gastric biopsies were higher in patients infected with the virulent s1m1cagA+ genotype. In contrast, IL-4 and IL-10 levels were higher in tissue infected with s2m2cagA in gastric biopsies. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that the interaction between the type of infectious strain and the Th1 immune response can influence and perpetuate gastric inflammation, and thus contributes to the development of the different clinical manifestations of H. pylori infection

Infecção pelo virus da hepatite B e C em ribeirinhos da Amazônia brasileira

INTRODUCTION: Viral hepatitis is a major public health concern in Brazil. There are few past studies on this issue, especially among riparian communities. This study aims at determining the seroprevalence of viral hepatitis B and C in the riparian community of Pacuí Island, within the Cametá municipality of Pará State, Brazil. Moreover, this study aims to investigate the principal risk factors that this community is exposed to. METHODS: The current study has accessed blood samples from 181 volunteers who have answered an epidemiological questionnaire. Analyses on serological markers have been tested with commercial ELISA kits for detecting HBsAg, total anti-HBc, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV. Within seroreactive patients for HCV, RT-PCR and line probe assay have been performed to identify the viral genotype. RESULTS: In the serological marker analysis for hepatitis B, no reactivity for HBsAg, rate of 1.1% for total anti-HBc, and rate of 19.3% for anti-HBs have been observed. On hepatitis C, 8.8% seroprevalence has been found, in which 62.5% have gotten viral RNA. Among the risk factors studied, the following have been highlighted: non-use of condoms, sharing of cutting instruments, use of illicit drugs, and reports of family disease with HBV or HCV. CONCLUSIONS: The vaccination coverage against HBV is low, and the high prevalence of HCV within this community has been observed.INTRODUÇÃO: As hepatites virais constituem um importante problema de saúde pública no mundo. No Brasil existem poucos estudos sobre esta questão, especialmente entre as comunidades ribeirinhas. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a soroprevalência das hepatites B e C virais na comunidade ribeirinha da Ilha do Pacuí, no Estado do Pará, Brasil, e investigar os principais fatores de risco principal a que está comunidade está exposta. MÉTODOS: O presente estudo avaliou amostras de sangue de 181 voluntários que responderam a um questionário epidemiológico. Análises de marcadores sorológicos foram testados com kits comerciais de ELISA para detecção de HBsAg, anti-HBc total, anti-HBs e anti-VHC. Nos pacientes reagentes para VHC, RT-PCR e um line probe assay foi realizado para identificar o genótipo viral. RESULTADOS: Na análise dos marcadores sorológicos para hepatite B, observou-se taxas de 1,1% para anti-HBc total e 19,3% para anti-HBs, o marcador sorológico HBsAg não foi encontrado nesta população. Para a hepatite C foi encontrada um soroprevalência de 8,8%, destes 62,5% tinham RNA viral. Entre os fatores de risco estudados se destacaram: a não-utilização de preservativos, o compartilhamento de instrumentos cortantes, uso de drogas ilícitas e relatos de doença na família com VHB ou VHC. CONCLUSÕES: Observamos que a cobertura de vacinação contra o VHB é baixa e uma alta prevalência da hepatite C nesta comunidade

Differences in virulence markers between Helicobacter pylori strains from the Brazilian Amazon region

Introduction This study compares virulence markers of Helicobacter pylori isolated from patients in 2 cities in the Brazilian Amazon. Methods The study analyzed 168 patients with chronic gastritis from Bel&#233;m and 151 from Bragan&#231;a, State of Par&#225;, Brazil. Levels of bacterial DNA associated with cagA and vacA alleles were checked by PCR, and hematoxylin-eosin staining was used for histologic diagnosis. Results In Bragan&#231;a 87% of patients were genotype s1m1 cagA-positive (s1m1 cagA+), compared with 76% in Bel&#233;m. In samples from patients in both cities, there was an association between s1m1 cagA+ strains and gastric mucosal damage. Conclusions Both cities have a high frequency of s1m1 cagA+ strains of H. pylori