Abstract
Aims
The aim was to evaluate the role of HLA‐DP/DQ single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Helicobacter pylori infection in Kafrelsheikh governorate, Egypt.
Methods and results
The study enrolled 120 persons; 48 naïve H. pylori‐infected patients, 42 relapsers and 30 H. pylori‐free controls. Gastroscopy, H. pylori stool antigen, anti‐CagA and anti‐VacA antibodies were determined. Genotyping of HLA‐DPA1rs3077 (A/G) SNP and HLA‐DQ‐rs3920(A/G) SNP was done using real‐time PCR. The antibody profile against H. pylori showed that 85.7% of patients with recurrent infection have IgG against CagA (p = 0.001*). There was a significant association between the occurrence of H. pylori infection and both HLA‐DPA1rs3077AA and HLA‐DQ‐rs3920AG genotypes. Concerning H. pylori relapse, the HLA‐DQ‐rs3920AG genotype was detected in 78.6% of patients with recurrent infection (p = 0.002*). Patients carrying this genotype tend to be relapsers 9.8 times more than patients carrying other genotypes.
Conclusions
HLA‐DPA1rs3077AA and/or HLA‐DQ‐rs3920AG genotypes could be risk factors for the occurrence of H. pylori infection. HLA‐DQ‐rs3920AG genotype is markedly linked to recurrent H. pylori infection.
Significance and impact of the study
Host factors as HLA gene polymorphism could be a predisposing factor for susceptibility, recurrence or chronicity of H. pylori and should be studied in different ethnic groups.