Intrafamiliar transmission patterns of Helicobacter pylori strains by using molecular typing

Introduction: The spread of Helicobacter pylori infection is still a subject of research. Family transmission is the most important transmission way in developed countries. Aim: To assess of transmission within family on the base of genetic typing of H. pylori strains isolated from family members. Material and methods: Altogether 55 members from 22 families with diagnosed gastritis connected with H. pylori infection were included into the study. Bacteria genetic material was isolated from the stomach biopsy specimens with the use of NucleoSpin®Tissue kit (Macherey-Nagel). Genes: glmM, cagA, cagE, iceA underwent polymerase chain reaction during analysis of H. pylori strains and multiplex PCR reaction for vacA (s1/s2 + m1/m2) was performed. Results: Gastritis caused by H. pylori infection was diagnosed in 55 members of 22 families, including 13 mothers, 11 fathers and 30 offspring. Parents’ age varied from 31 to 54 years (mean age 39.1 years), but offspring’s age varied from 4 to 26 years (mean age 11.9 years). Unanimity of H. pylori genetic types were found only in 18 from 44 pairs of persons who are the members of the same family (40.9%). Most often infection with the same genetic type of H. pylori was proved in pairs mother-child (70.6%). Only one of seven married couples was infected with the same genetic type of bacteria (14.3%). Infection with the same H. pylori type was observed similarly rarely between father and his child (27.3%), but also among siblings (22.2%). Only in three among 11 families with three persons infected with H. pylori all family members included in the study (mother and two children two times,mother-father-son once) were infected with the same genetic type of bacteria. The presence of cagA gene was found in 45 persons of 55 family members (81.8%) infected with H. pylori, cagE gene was noted in 13 of them (23.6%), iceA gene – in 7 of them (12.7%), vacAs gene – in 17 of them (30.9%), but vasAm gene – in 7 of them (12.7%). Conclusions: 1) Genetic typing of H. pylori strains isolated from family members confirms essential role of mother in infection transmission to children. 2) Infection of other family members, but particularly married couples seem to be less important in infection transmission

Preoperative plasma level of IL-10 but not of proinflammatory cytokines is an independent prognostic factor in patients with gastric cancer

There have been many discrepant observations on the serum levels of cytokines in cancer patients and their prognostic value. The purpose of this study was to determine the plasma levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and their clinical significance in a large group of patients with gastric carcinoma. The levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF α), interleukin-12p40 (IL-12p40), IL-12p70, IL-18, IL-10 and soluble TNF receptors I and II sTNF-Rs were investigated in the plasma of 136 consecutive patients with biopsy proven gastric cancer using specific enzymelinked immunoabsorbent assays (ELISA). Survival curves were estimated using the method of Kaplan and Meier and the differences in the survival rates were tested by the logrank test. For multivariate analysis of prognostic factors, the Cox proportional hazard model was used. Proinflammatory cytokines and sTNF-Rs were higher in the whole group of patients in comparison to healthy volunteers. IL-10 was elevated mostly in advanced disease. The increased levels of IL-10 (>10 pg/ml) were associated with significantly poorer survival of patients, while the levels of the other cytokines and sTNF-Rs showed no correlation with prognosis. The increased level of IL-10 is an independent unfavorable prognostic factor in patients with gastric cancer

Tumour-derived microvesicles (TMV) mimic the effect of tumour cells on monocyte subpopulations

Background: Monocytes/macrophages may be affected by tumour cells via cell-to-cell contact, soluble factors and by tumour-derived microvesicles (TMV). Previous observations indicate that TMV interact with monocytes and alter their immunophenotype and activity. This study was designed to determine interactions of TMV with subpopulations (CD14++CD16– and CD14+CD16++) of human monocytes. Methods: Engulfment of TMV by subsets of monocytes was analysed by flow cytometry. Moreover cytokine release and production of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) and reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI) by CD14++CD16– and CD14+CD16++ cells after TMV stimulation was determined. Results: It was found that TMV are engulfed more efficiently by CD14++CD16– than CD14+CD16++ cells. TMV-activated CD14++CD16– cells produce more ROI and interleukin -10 (IL-10) than CD14++CD16+. CD14+CD16++ cells following TMV stimulation showed an increased release of tumour necrosis factor alpha, IL-12p40 and RNI. Conclusion: TMV significantly modulate biological activity of monocyte subsets with a pattern similar to tumour cells. Therefore, TMV mimic the activating effect of tumour cells on monocytes as assessed by release of cytokines, ROI and RNI