Abdominal aortic aneurysm and infection with CagA positive strains of Helicobacter pylori

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of infectious diseases 2008, Vol.40 (3), p.204-207
• Main Authors: Nyberg, Anders, Skagius, Elisabet, Nilsson, Ingrid, Ljungh, Åsa, Henriksson, Anders E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Antibodies, Bacterial - blood; Antigens, Bacterial - biosynthesis; Antigens, Bacterial - immunology; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal - microbiology; Aortic Rupture - microbiology; Bacterial diseases; Bacterial diseases of the digestive system and abdomen; Bacterial Proteins - biosynthesis; Bacterial Proteins - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Case-Control Studies; Clinical Medicine; Diseases of the aorta; Female; Helicobacter Infections - complications; Helicobacter Infections - immunology; Helicobacter Infections - microbiology; Helicobacter pylori - isolation & purification; Helicobacter pylori - metabolism; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Immunoglobulin G - blood; Infectious diseases; Infectious Medicine; Infektionsmedicin; Klinisk medicin; Male; Medical and Health Sciences; Medical sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap
• ISSN: 0036-5548; 1651-1980; 1651-1980
• DOI: 10.1080/00365540701642153

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether virulent CagA positive Helicobacter pylori strains are those preferentially related to abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture. Several microorganisms have been linked to aneurysm development. Chronic Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection has been suggested as a possible contributing factor for the development and expansion of AAA. Previous studies have shown increased risk of carotid atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease in subjects harbouring CagA positive strains of H. pylori. The relevance of CagA positive H. pylori involved in the processes underlying aneurysmal development, expansion, and rupture is unknown. In a case-control study, 119 patients with AAA and 36 matched controls were prospectively investigated with H. pylori serology. Patients with ruptured AAA have similar levels of IgG antibodies against H. pylori to patients with electively operated AAA, small AAA, and controls. In conclusion, this study fails to demonstrate a connection between H. pylori CagA seropositivity and abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture.