All issues > Volume 42(4); 1999

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1999;42(4):491-500. Published online April 15, 1999.

Positivity of cagA and vacA Genes of Helicobacter pylori by PCR Assay of Gastric Biopsy Specimens and Gastric Inflammation in Children

Jeong Wan JW Seo¹, Mi Ae MA Lee², Woon Sup WS Ha³

¹Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
²Department of Clinical Pathology, Ewha Womans University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
³Department of Pathology, Ewha Womans University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence Jeong Wan JW Seo ,Email: 1

Abstract

Purpose
: The aim of the present study is to detect cagA and vacA genes of Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) strain in gastric biopsy specimens and to evaluate its association with gastric inflammation in children.
Methods
: The cagA and vacA genes were detected by a direct polymerase chain reaction(PCR) assay of gastric biopsy specimens in 22 patients who were found to be H. pylori positive by histological detection with modified Giemsa stain, rapid urease test(CLO; Delta West Pty Ltd, Australia) and PCR using ureC primer in gastric biopsy specimens.
Results
: The cagA gene was detected in 16(72.7%) of 22 patients. Eleven patients(50%) had both the cagA and vacA gene. Five patients had only the vacA gene. Twenty one patients(95.5%) had the cagA or vacA gene. The cagA gene was detected in 66.7% of gastritis and in 87.5% of peptic ulcer patients. The association of the cagA gene with peptic ulcer or the higher degree of inflammation did not reach statistical significance. The histological H. pylori density of antrum was significantly correlated with gastric inflammation(P<0.05).
Conclusion
: These findings suggest that the antral density of H. pylori was associated with the gastric inflammation. The association of the cagA gene with peptic ulcer or the higher degree of imflammation was not significant.

Keywords :Helicobacter pylori, cagA, vacA, Polymerase chain reaction, Children