Extragastric manifestations of Helicobacter pylori infection--other Helicobacter species

Recent studies have indicated a strong link between Helicobacter pylori and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and iron deficiency anemia. Interesting results have also been obtained for ischemic heart disease, though most putative associations between H. pylori infection and extragastric disease remain speculative. With regard to other Helicobacter species, Helicobacter felis has been shown to play a role in gastric carcinogenesis in mouse models. An increased susceptibility to cholesterol gallstone formation has been described in animals fed a lithogenic diet and infected with Helicobacter bilis, or co-infected with Helicobacter hepaticus and Helicobacter rodentium. Finally, enterohepatic Helicobacter species have also been exploited to better understand inflammatory bowel disease.     

Extragastric Manifestations of Helicobacter pylori Infection: Other Helicobacters

The finding that Helicobacter pylori is the main cause of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease has opened a new era in the gastrointestinal world. Today there is evidence that H. pylori may also play a role in different nongastric diseases, opening the new "extragastric manifestations of H. pylori infection" field. Concerning this, several studies have been published in the last year. The most convincing data arise from those investigating idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and sideropenic anemia, while there is also an increasing evidence for a possible association with atherosclerotic disease. Furthermore, the discovery of a number of other novel Helicobacter species has stimulated the research in different extragastric diseases, in which an infectious hypothesis is plausible. In particular, several species have been studied for a potential role in different liver and intestinal diseases with interesting findings.     

艾曲波帕联合硫唑嘌呤治疗RITP的疗效及其作用机制研究

目的:探究艾曲波帕联合硫唑嘌呤治疗难治性原发免疫性血小板减少症(refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura,RITP)的效果及其作用机制。方法:选择我院于2016年1月~2020年1月收治的难治性原发免疫性血小板减少症患者61例为研究对象,根据入院顺序经随机数字表法分成两组:对照组和研究组。对照组30例应用硫唑嘌呤治疗,研究组31例应用艾曲波帕联合硫唑嘌呤治疗。对比两组治疗效果、外周血Th淋巴细胞因子水平、B1淋巴细胞百分数、氧化应激反应指标。结果:研究组的治疗总有效率90.32%显著高于对照组(73.33%,P<0.05);治疗前,两组的白介素(interleukin,IL)-2、γ干扰素(interferon-γ,IFN-γ)、IL-4、IL-5水平对比无显著性差异(P>0.05);治疗后,两组的IL-2、IFN-γ水平均降低,IL-4、IL-5水平均升高,且研究组更优(P<0.05);治疗前,两组的CD19+淋巴细胞百分数、CD5+CD19+淋巴细胞百分数对比无显著性差异(P>0.05);治疗后,两组的CD19+淋巴细胞百分数、CD5+CD19+淋巴细胞百分数均比治疗前显著降低,且研究组显著低于对照组(P<0.05);治疗前,两组的总抗氧化能力(total antioxidant capacity,TAC)、超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)、褪黑素(melatonin,MT)与谷胱甘肽(glutathione,GSH)水平对比无显著性差异(P>0.05);治疗后,两组的TAC、SOD、MT、GSH水平均比治疗前显著升高,且研究组显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:艾曲波帕联合硫唑嘌呤治疗RITP的效果显著,其作用机制可能与改善患者的免疫功能及氧化应激状态有关,该方法值得推荐至临床广泛应用。     

Extragastric manifestations of Helicobacter pylori infection -- other Helicobacters

Today there is evidence that Helicobacter pylori has a critical role in different extragastric diseases. The discovery of a number of other novel Helicobacter species has stimulated the research in different extragastric diseases, in which an infectious hypothesis is plausible. Enterohepatic Helicobacter species have been hypothesized to play a role in different disorders, including hepatocellular carcinoma, gallstones formation and cholangiocellular carcinoma, as well as enteric diseases and inflammatory bowel diseases. Concerning the extragastric manifestations of H. pylori infection, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and sideropenic anemia represent, based on the current data, the diseases in which the pathogenic link appears to be strongest. There is also an increasing evidence for a possible association of H. pylori with cardiovascular disease.     

原发性血小板减少性紫癜合并侵袭性真菌感染2例报告附文献复习

目的 报道2例难治性原发性血小板减少性紫癜（ITP）患者用大剂量激素和（或）免疫抑制剂后发生侵袭性真菌感染（IFI）,其治疗经过及相关文献复习。方法 2例难治性ITP患者用大剂量激素和（或）免疫抑制剂后发生IFI,用大扶康、两性霉素B,降颅压,辅助呼吸等治疗。结果 例1发生隐球菌脑膜脑炎、例2出现肺曲酶菌感染,均经抗真菌治疗无效死亡。结论 长期应用激素及免疫抑制剂是难治性ITP患者发生IFI的危险因素,治疗困难,确诊后用药应足量、足疗程。     

Changes in Follicular Helper T Cells in Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Patients

Background: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a primary autoimmune disease with a decreased platelet count caused by platelet destruction mediated mainly by platelet antibodies. T follicular helper (TFH) cells have demonstrated important roles in autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study is to explore the might role of TFH cells in the patients of ITP.Methods: Twenty-three ITP patients and 12 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in this study. The frequency of circulating TFH cells in both the patients and HC was analyzed by flow cytometry. Serum interleukin (IL)-21 and IL-6 levels were measured using ELISA, and platelet antibodies were tested using a solid phase technique. Additionally, IL-21, IL-6, Bcl-6 and c-Maf mRNA expressions in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were detected using real-time PCR.Results: The percentages of circulating CXCR5⁺ CD4⁺TFH cells with ICOS^high or PD-1^high expression were significantly higher in the ITP patients than in the HC. Moreover, the frequencies of circulating CXCR5⁺ CD4⁺TFH cells with inducible costimulator (ICOS)^high or programmed death-1 (PD-1)^high expression were notably higher in ITP with platelet-antibody-positive ( ITP (+) ) patients than in ITP with platelet-antibody-negative ( ITP (-) ) patients and HC, as were the serum IL-21 and IL-6 levels (significant). Moreover, a positive correlation was found between the CXCR5⁺CD4⁺TFH cells with ICOS^high or PD-1^high expression and the serum IL-21 levels of ITP (+) patients. Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of IL-21, IL-6, Bcl-6 and c-Maf were significantly increased in ITP patients, especially in ITP (+) patients.Conclusions: This study demonstrated TFH cells and effector molecules might play an important role in the pathogenesis of ITP, which are possible therapeutic targets in ITP patients.     

Immune response to CagA protein is associated with improved platelet count after Helicobacter pylori eradication in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

BACKGROUND: Improvement in platelet counts has been reported after eradication of Helicobacter pylori in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). We examined the levels of serum markers of gastritis and anti-CagA (cytotoxin-associated gene A) IgG antibody in patients with ITP to investigate whether these factors are associated with the platelet response after H. pylori eradication therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixteen consecutive patients with ITP were assessed for H. pylori infection by (13)C-urea breath test and serum H. pylori antibody test. Patients with H. pylori infection received eradication therapy. Before and after eradication therapy, we evaluated serum levels of gastrin, pepsinogen (PG)-I, and PG-II and the anti-CagA IgG antibody titer. RESULTS: H. pylori infection was found in 67 (58%) of the 116 patients with ITP. Fifty-two infected patients received eradication therapy, which was successful in 44 patients (85%). Twenty-seven patients (62%) showed an increased platelet count and were identified as responders. The duration of ITP was shorter in responders than in nonresponders (p = .017). There was no difference of the levels of gastrin and PGs between responders and nonresponders. Before eradication therapy, the serum anti-CagA antibody titer did not differ significantly between responders and nonresponders. However, reduction in the anti-CagA antibody titer after eradication therapy was significantly greater in responders than in nonresponders (p = .013). CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori eradication therapy improves the platelet count in H. pylori-positive patients with ITP of short duration. Immune response of hosts to CagA protein of H. pylori may play a role in the pathogenesis of ITP.     

Proof of an association between Helicobacter pylori and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in Latin America

BACKGROUND: Association between Helicobacter pylori and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) has been found in Japan and in some European countries. It has also been shown that eradication of H. pylori can increase platelet counts in patients with ITP. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with ITP in Colombia, and the effect of bacterial eradication on their platelet counts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between December 1998 and April 2006, a total of 32 patients diagnosed with ITP were included in the study. Controls were age and sex matched. RESULTS: H. pylori infection in patients with ITP was significantly higher (p = .00006) than in control individuals (90.6% and 43.8%, respectively), as determined by (13)C-urea breath test. A significant association between H. pylori infection and ITP was found (p < .0003), with an odds ratio (OR) of 13.15 (95%CI: 3.24-53.29). Multivariate analysis for the association between H. pylori and ITP showed an OR of 20.44 (95%CI: 3.88-107.49) for women and 19.28 (95%CI: 2.03-183.42) for individuals over 50 years. All 29 H. pylori-positive patients with ITP received eradication treatment. After a median follow up of 12.2 months, 80.8% had a recovery in platelet counts. CONCLUSIONS: According to these results and others from different countries where H. pylori infection rates are high, patients with ITP should be initially tested for H. pylori status, and if present, infection should be eradicated before initiating a drastic conventional ITP treatment. An algorithm for the study and management of patients with ITP in the post-Helicobacter era is presented.     

免疫性血小板减少性紫癜动物模型建立方法与应用评价

免疫性血小板减少性紫癜(immune thrombocytopenic purpura,ITP)是血液系统自身免疫性疾病,临床以皮肤、黏膜自发性出血为主要症状。鉴于ITP发病机理目前尚不清晰,因此,探讨人类ITP发病相近或相似的动物模型有助于对ITP发病机制的认识与治疗效果的评估。但就目前状况分析,被动型与主动型的ITP造模方法虽对研究ITP发病机制与药理学研究提供了研究工具,但也存在一些尚待解决的实际问题。因此,系统回顾ITP动物模型复制方法,并给予适当评价,有助于发现、应用并完善现有的动物模型,也能更好的探索新的ITP动物模型来研究发病过程与药物治疗的效应机制。     

Octaploidy in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

We report a case of an elderly 68-year-old male who presented in our hospital with chief complaints of petechial rashes and ecchymosis over extremities and bleeding from the oral cavity since 3-4 days prior to hospitalization. He saw a physician before coming to our hospital and received one dose of IV methylprednisolone and oral wysolone. He had come to our hospital for further management. Bone marrow karyotyping was done and chromosomal analysis revealed two cell lines. Eighty percent of the cells analyzed revealed apparently normal male karyotype. However, 20% cells analyzed revealed a total of 184 chromosomes, suggesting octaploidy.     

Helicobacter pylori infection and immune thrombocytopenic purpura: an update

Data are accumulating on the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and the significant increase in platelet count after bacterial eradication. The aim of this review was to consider the studies so far published on H. pylori infection and ITP in order to evaluate a possible correlation between these two conditions. A review of the literature showed that 278 out of the 482 ITP patients investigated (58%) were positive for H. pylori infection and that the bacterium was eradicated in 88% of cases. Eradication therapy was accompanied by a complete or partial platelet response in approximately half the cases. Overall, these data show that H. pylori eradication in patients with ITP is effective in increasing platelet count. However, because the studies so far published are few, are sometimes controversial and involve small series of patients, further studies on larger numbers of patients with longer follow-up are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.