Helicobacter pylori and herpes viruses co-infection in chronic gastritis

Helicobacter pylori (HP) is a proven pathogen of the stomach. Along with HP, other infectious agents, in particular herpesviruses, can colonize the gastric mucosa (GM). The occurrence and association of HP and Epstein-Barr viruses (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpesvirus type 6 (HV6), the effect of these pathogens on inflammation, atrophy in the stomach, on the effectiveness of HP eradication were studied. Materials and methods. DNA of HP and viruses (EBV, CMV, HV6) was determined by polymerase chain reaction in biopsy samples of the antrum of the stomach of 99 people. Morphological study of GM according to the OLGA system was performed in 56 patients. HP eradication treatment was carried out in 29 people, in 9 of whom DNA of viruses was found. Descriptive statistics, Student’s t-test and x2-test were used (Biostatistics program). Results. HP DNA in GM was found in 44.4%, herpes virus DNA in 35.3% of cases. EBV was detected more often - in 21 patients, HV6 - in 11 people, both viruses (EBV + HV6) were found in 3 samples. CMV DNA was not found. HP co-infection with herpesviruses was determined 2 times more often than in the absence of bacteria (50% and 23.6%, respectively, p=0.007). A combination of HP and EBV was more often recorded (36.4%), EBV mono-infection occurred in 9.1% (p<0.001). HB6 in 14.5% was determined in the absence of HP, in combination with HP - in 6.8% of cases (p = 0.225). The morphology of gastric biopsies showed that III-IV degree of inflammation according to OLGA occurred in 74% of patients with HP and in 31% in the absence of bacteria (p=0.002). The average degree of inflammation was 2.14±0.20 points in patients intact for any infection, increased by 1 point with НР (p<0.01) and did not change with the persistence of viruses (p=0.235). There were no differences between atrophic changes when HP or viruses were detected (p>0.05). Successful HP eradication was registered in 75% of cases in the absence of a viral infection and in 11.1% of cases with co-infection with herpes viruses (p=0.002). Conclusion. Colonization of the GM is typical for HP, EBV and HV6. Combination of EBV and HP was the most common. A high degree of inflammation activity is characteristic of Helicobacter pylori infection. In case of non-effective eradication of HP, it is necessary to examine herpes viruses, which may interfere with the success of treatment.

gastritis, Helicobacter pylori, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, herpesvirus type 6, coinfection, eradication

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