J Korean Pediatr Soc.  1999 Apr;42(4):491-500.

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

• Seo JW
• Lee MA
• Han WS

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.

Keyword

Helicobacter pylori; cagA; vacA; Polymerase chain reaction; Children

MeSH Terms

Azure Stains
Biopsy*
Child*
Gastritis
Helicobacter pylori*
Helicobacter*
Humans
Inflammation*
Peptic Ulcer
Polymerase Chain Reaction*
Urease
Azure Stains
Urease