High Diversity of vacA and cagA Helicobacter pylori Genotypes in Patients with and without Gastric Cancer
2008

Diversity of Helicobacter pylori Genotypes in Gastric Cancer Patients

Sample size: 32 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): López-Vidal Yolanda, Ponce-de-León Sergio, Castillo-Rojas Gonzalo, Barreto-Zúñiga Rafael, Torre-Delgadillo Aldo

Primary Institution: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)

Hypothesis

A higher frequency of H. pylori is associated with early stages of gastric cancer.

Conclusion

High H. pylori colonization diversity, along with the cagA gene, was found predominantly in the fundus and corpus of patients with gastric cancer.

Supporting Evidence

  • H. pylori was identified in 38% of gastric cancer biopsies and 26% of non-cancer biopsies.
  • The distribution of H. pylori was preferential in the fundus and corpus for cancer patients.
  • 92% of subjects showed more than one vacA gene genotype.
  • Significant differences in cagA positivity were observed between cancer and non-cancer groups.

Takeaway

This study looked at how different types of a bacteria called H. pylori are found in the stomachs of people with and without stomach cancer. They found that people with cancer had more variety of these bacteria.

Methodology

The study involved evaluating gastric biopsies from patients with gastric cancer and dyspeptic symptoms, assessing the presence of H. pylori and its genotypes.

Potential Biases

Potential confounding variables associated with both H. pylori infection and cancer or dyspeptic status.

Limitations

The study's observational nature and cross-sectional design limit the ability to establish causation.

Participant Demographics

Average age of patients was 57.6 years for cancer group and 47.2 years for non-cancer group, with 56% male in cancer group and 14% male in non-cancer group.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p=0.008

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0003849

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