Correlation between Helicobacter pylori and human gallstones / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the relationship between the Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and the formation of gallstones. Methods In this controlled study, the Hp infection rate was detected in both 35 cases of simple gallbladder stones (Experimental Group) and 25 cases of polypoid lesions of the gallbladder (Control Group). The Hp cytotoxin associated gene antigen (cag-A) in bile and gallstones of the both groups was amplified by PCR technique. Results The Hp infection rate was 51.4% (18/35) in the Experimental Group and 48.0% (12/25) in the Control Group, without significant differences (?~2=0.069,P=0.793). In the Experimental Group, cag-A positive results were noted in bile samples in 7 cases (20.0%, 7/35) and in gallstone samples in 1 case (2.9%, 1/35), whereas in the Control Group there were no positive results observed. The Hp cag-A positive rate was significantly different between the two groups (?~2=5.822,P=0.016). The presence of Hp cag-A in bile was correlated with the Hp infection of the stomach (x~2=3.886,P=0.049). Conclusions That the DNA of the Hp can be found in bile and gallstones of patients with cholelithiasis indicates a correlation between Hp infection of the gallbladder and the formation of gallstones.