RESUMO
Nowadays, Helicobacter pylori is considered to be the most common human bacteria in the pathogenesis of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease It causes systemic and local immune response, till now little references regarding the immune status and role of complement in H pylori infection have been reported. This study was designed to clarify any underlying role of the complement in the pathogenesis of H. pylori -chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer. From November 2003 to January 2005, 105 patients with gastritis and peptic ulcer, compared with control group of 25 patients, were underwent upper GIT endoscopy and biopsy. Histopathological examination of all gastric antral biopsies and serological tests [EIA] of serum samples for serum Anti H. Pylori antibody, C3, C4 complement components and total serum IgG essay were done. High serum level of complement component C3 and C4 has also been reported among the study group rather than control group [47.2% and 43.6% Vs 0%] and among H. pylori positive gastritis than H. pylori negative gastritis with a significant difference between two group [p<0.005]. Both C3 and C4 were well correlated to grade of gastritis, level of Anti-H pylori antibody and the density of H. pylori infection as well as the more severe clinical presentations. Conclusion: C3,C4 complement are well correlated to the level of Anti- H. pylori antibody in H. pylori positive gastritis patients and serum assay of C3 and C4 complement beside Anti- H. pylori antibody could be considered as screening tests for assessment of H. pylori infection. Lastly, these results confirmed the postulated role of C3 and C4 complements in the pathogenesis of H. pylori associated gastritis and peptic ulcer. Up to this time we didn't find any published paper concerned with the correlation of Complement and anti H. pylori infection in Iraq and surrounding areas