Atrophic gastritis by Helicobacter pylori and antiparietal antibodies

Objective To determine if atrophic gastritis is caused by H pylori and anti parietal antibodies. Patients and Methods A total of 60 atrophic gastritis patients had their blood analyzed for CagA antibodies IgG and parietal cell antibodies using an indirect immunofluorescence technique. C-reactive protein (CRP) was also measured. Results Mean age of patients was 45.67 +/- 15.54 years. In 37 (61.6%) patients, H pylori Cag A antibody IgG was positive and in 23 (38.3 %) anti parietal cell antibody was positive (p=0.011, OR and relative risk 1). In 39 (65%) patients, atrophic gastritis was seen only in the antrum; 74.3% of them had H pylori Cag A antibody IgG positive, while 25.6 % had anti parietal cell antibody positive (p=0.000). All atrophic gastritis patients showed positive CRP. Conclusions H. pylori infection can exist with autoimmune gastritis leading to cross reactive gastric T cells activation via molecular mimicry.