Helicobacter pylori infection in the etiopathogenesis of duodenal ulcer in children

The study evaluates the frequency of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, as well as systemic cellular immune response to H. pylori in children with duodenal ulcer (DU). The study group comprised 47 children with DU, aged 6-17 (mean 13, 1 +/- 4, 2). H. pylori detection was based on urease test, histology, culture and serologic tests. Endoscopic and morphologic findings were analysed according to Sydney System criteria. In 12 children from the overmentioned group subsets of blood lymphocytes B and T (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD3/DR, CD19) and NK cells, some neutrophils functions (phagocytosis, chemiluminescence) and phagocytes receptors before and one month after H. pylori triple treatment were investigated. H. pylori infection was detected in 44 of the investigated children. In addition, pathologic examination revealed chronic gastritis in 44 children and chronic duodenitis in 42 of them. In immunosystemic examination decreased percentage of CD8 lymphocytes and NK cells, increased CD4/CD8 ratio, decreased mitogen-induced response and changes of function and receptor expression of neutrophils were found. After H. pylori treatment in follow-up endoscopy no ulcers were found and histologic examination did not reveal chronic active gastroduodenitis, while the rate of nonactive gastritis was increased. Eradication of H. pylori infection in 41 children and normalisation of immune parameters in 11 children were obtained. The results of our investigation indicate, that H. pylori infection plays an important role in the pathogenesis of DU in children.