Asthma is inversely associated with Helicobacter pylori status

Abstract Background The increase in asthma rates has been linked epidemiologically to the rapid disappearance of Helicobacter pylori , a bacterial pathogen that persistently colonizes the human stomach. Recent evidence indicates that, H. pylori may have protective effects on allergic diseases. Objective The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between asthma and H. pylori infection in a population with high prevalence of H. pylori infection. Patients and methods One hundred and seventeen asthma cases were eligible for the study in addition to 86 non asthma cases as control. Pre and post – bronchodilator spirometry, assay of Total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) by enzyme immunoassay technique (ELISA) and 14 C Urea Breath Test (UBT) were done. Out of 41 asthmatic cases with positive H. pylori were 22 patients had mild asthma, 14 had moderate asthma, and 5 only had severe asthma with statistically significant difference between them. Results The mean serum level of Total IgE was significantly higher (190.04 ± 111.9) in patients group than control group (94.13 ± 46.49) with p -value 0.000, while the mean UBT was significantly lower (325.85 ± 261.35) in patients group than control group (1068.67 ± 680.7) with p -value 0.000. AS regard pulmonary function tests (FEV1 and FVC), there was statistically significant difference between positive H. pylori asthmatic and negative H. pylori asthmatic. Conclusion We demonstrate an inverse association between H. pylori and asthma in a population with a high prevalence of H. pylori .