ABSTRACT
Background:
Helicobacter pylori is an etiologic agent of gastroduodenal diseases. The microorganism, considered a type I carcinogen, affects about 50% of the global population. H. pylori virulence factors are determinant for the clinical outcome of the infection. The outer inflammatory protein A (oipA) gene encodes an outer membrane adhesin and is related to severe gastropathies, such as gastric cancer.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the oipA gene with the severity of gastroduodenal diseases in dyspeptic patients in region Central Brazil.
Methods:
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to determine the presence of H. pylori. Samples positives were used for molecular screening of the oipA gene. Gastropathies were categorized as non-severe and severe diseases.
Results:
Approximately 68% of patients had H. pylori and 36% were infected with H. pylori oipA+ strains. Infection was significantly associated in patients aged over 44 years (P=0.004). However, there was no association between oipA and patients’ age (P=0.89). Approximately 46% of patients infected with oipA+ strains had some severe illness. Gastric adenocarcinoma was the most frequent severe gastropathy. The H. pylori oipA genotype was inversely associated with the severity of gastroduodenal diseases (OR=0.247, 95%CI: 0.0804-0.7149 and P=0.007).
Conclusion:
The characterization of possible molecular markers will contribute to personalized medicine, impacting the prognosis of patients.
Keywords:
Bacterial gene; bacterial adhesion; bacterial outer membrane proteins
HIGHLIGHTS
• Evidence points to an association between the H. pylori oipA gene and gastropathies.
• There is a high prevalence of H. pylori infection with a relevant percentage of oipA+ strains.
• More severe gastropathies were observed in those infected with H. pylori oipA+ strains.