[Relation between helicobacter pylori infection with thyroid autoantibodies in dyspeptic patients]

Infections attributed to Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] involve almost half of the world's population. One of the effects is auto-antibody induction and cross-reaction with numerous proteins in the body. As a result of its widespread prevalence and importance, this study evaluates the associations between H. pylori and thyroid auto-antibodies. This study enrolled 100 patients who were candidates for gastroesophageal endoscopy that referred to the Yazd Gastrointestinal Clinic. Patients underwent the following laboratory analyses: urease test, anti-H. pylori [IgG], TSH, T4, T3 and thyroid auto-antibodies [anti-thyroglobulin, anti-thyroid peroxides]. Patients were divided into two groups of H. pylori positive and negative according to the results of the anti-H. pylori IgG and urease tests. The level of thyroid auto-antibodies and thyroid function tests were compared between groups. Data were analyzed with chi-square and t-tests. SPSS software version 17 was used for data analysis. Overall, 61% of patients were H. pylori positive. The mean anti-Thyroid peroxidase level in the H. pylori positive group was significantly more than the negative group [p<0.01]. In addition, 19.7% of H. pylori positive patients and 5.1% of H. pylori negative patients had positive anti-TPO levels, which the difference between both groups was significant [p<0.04]. There was no significant difference in thyroid function between the two groups. Although no significant difference in thyroid function was seen in the two groups more patients tested positive for anti-TPO levels in the H. pylori positive group, which was suggestive of thyroid auto-antibody induction by H. pylori.

Seroprevalence of anti-helicobacter pylori antibodies in hepatitis B and C patients with cirrhosis: a case-control study

Cirrhosis is terminal stage of many chronic liver diseases like hepatitis C and hepatitis B. In some studies the role of helicobacter pylori has been demonstrated in progress of cirrhosis and its complications, but none of the previous studies has investigated the role of socioeconomic conditions of patients in childhood period in this issue. In a case-control study, we examined 100 cirrhotic patients due to hepatitis [49 hepatitis B and 51 hepatitis C patients] and 101 socioeconomically matched healthy controls presenting to Taleghani Hospital for IgG antibody to helicobacter pylori. IgG antibody to helicobacter pylori was present in 73% of cirrhotic patients and 52% of control group [P < 0.003]. Odds ratio for the presence of IgG antibody to helicobacter pylori in cirrhotic men comparing with healthy men was 3.2 [95%CI: 1.4-7.4]. The relative frequency of IgG antibody to helicobacter pylori found to be higher in cirrhotic patients than in controls with regard to socioeconomic condition in childhood

Abdominal pain due to lead-contaminated opium: a new source of inorganic lead poisoning in Iran

Although the incidence of occupational and adult lead poisoning has declined, the problem still exists. We encountered three patients with lead poisoning in Iran, all of whom associated with presented with diffuse abdominal pain, which was at times colicky in nature, anemia, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and slightly abnormal liver biochemistries. A history of opium ingestion was present in each of these patients. None of the patients reported known occupational exposure to toxins. Diagnoses of lead poisoning were confirmed through the detection of elevated blood lead levels. The cause of lead poisoning was attributed to the ingestion of contaminated opium. Opium adulterated with lead had not been previously recognized as a source of lead poisoning in Iran. It is, therefore, pointed out that lead poisoning should be considered as a differential diagnosis for acute abdominal colic of unclear cause in patients with opium addiction