cagA, vacA, and iceA genotypes of Helicobacter pylori in Korean children

• Published in: Pediatrics international Vol. 50; no. 5; pp. 628 - 631
• Main Authors: Ko, Jae Sung, Kim, Kyung Mo, Oh, Young Lyun, Seo, Jeong Kee
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melbourne, Australia Blackwell Publishing Asia 01-10-2008; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Antigens, Bacterial - genetics; Asian people; Bacteria; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins - genetics; Bacterial Proteins - genetics; cagA; cagA, children; Child; Child, Preschool; children; Endoscopy, Digestive System; Female; Gastritis - diagnosis; Gastritis - microbiology; Gastrointestinal diseases; Genotype; Genotype & phenotype; Helicobacter Infections - genetics; Helicobacter Infections - microbiology; Helicobacter pylori; Helicobacter pylori - classification; Helicobacter pylori - genetics; Helicobacter pylori - isolation & purification; Humans; iceA; Korea; Male; Pediatrics; Severity of Illness Index; vacA; Virulence Factors - genetics; Korea
• ISSN: 1328-8067; 1442-200X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-200X.2008.02641.x

Background: Several putative virulence factors for Helicobacter pylori have been identified including cagA, vacA, and iceA. The aims of the present study were to study the distribution of cagA, vacA, and iceA genotypes in children with H. pylori gastritis and to examine the association of genotypes with severity of gastritis.
Methods: H. pylori DNA was extracted from antral biopsy specimens from 33 children with H. pylori gastritis. Specific polymerase chain reaction assays were used for three genes: cagA, vacA, and iceA. The features of gastritis were graded in accordance with the updated Sydney System.
Results: Of the 33 children, 31 (94%) were cagA positive. Twenty‐four (72%) had s1c genotype and nine (27%) had s1a. The m1 genotype was seen in 27 (82%) and m2 was found in five (15%). The iceA1 genotype was detected in 25 (76%). Scores of neutrophil activity, chronic inflammation, and H. pylori density were independent of cagA, vacA and iceA status.
Conclusion: The cagA‐positive vacA s1c/m1 iceA1 genotype was predominant in Korean children with recurrent abdominal pain and H. pylori gastritis. The cagA, vacA and iceA genotype were not associated with the severity of gastritis.