CagA status and VacA subtypes of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> in relation to histopathologic findings in Iranian population

• Main Authors: Molaei Mahsa (Author), Foroughi Forough (Author), Mashayekhi Reza (Author), Haghazali Mehrdad (Author), Zojaji Homayoon (Author), Jafari Fereshteh (Author), Dabiri Hossein (Author), Zali Mohammad Reza (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 0377-4929; 0974-5130
• Keywords: <i>Helicobecter pylori</i>; cagA status; vacA subtypes; Pathology; RB1-214; Microbiology; QR1-502
• Source: Indian Journal of Pathology and Microbiology, Vol 53, Iss 1, Pp 24-27 (2010)

<b>Background/Objective:</b> The aim of this study was to detect dominant cagA/vacA genotypes of <i>Helicobacter Pylori</i> (<i>H. pylori</i>) and determine correlations between different cagA/vacA genotypes and histologic features of chronic gastritis in Iranian patients. <b> Methods:</b> Gastric biopsy was taken from 166 patients with nonulcer dyspepsia. The specimens were processed and DNA from each <i>H. pylori</i> isolate was extracted from multiple<b> </b> colony sweeps for identification<b> </b> of glmM gene. The vacA subtypes and cagA gene were tested by PCR<b> . </b> Histopathological features were recorded and graded according to partial<b> </b> Sydney system. <b> Results:</b> Of the 86 strains, 66 (76.7&#x0025;) were cagA positive. The proportions of vacA gene subtypes s1, s2, m1 and m2 in the 78 strains isolated were 70.5&#x0025;, 29.5&#x0025;, 37.2&#x0025; and 62.8&#x0025;, respectively. About 83.3&#x0025; of the vacA-positive strains had s1 allele. Twenty-six strains (33.3&#x0025;) were positive for both cagA and m1 allele. Positive cagA status and vacA subtypes were not associated significantly with presence of neutrophil infiltration, intestinal metaplasia or <i>H. pylori </i>density. Only vacA s1 was significantly associated with more severe inflammation (P=0.02).<b> </b> The dominant genotype of <i>H. pylori</i> was vacA plus s1/m2. CagA gene positivity rate was not closely associated with severity of the disease. <b> Conclusion:</b> <i>H. pylori</i> strains showing vacA s1 genotype were associated with more severe gastritis. These findings show that vacA genotyping may have clinical relevance in Iran.