Estudio del gen de la adhesina de Helicobacter pylori: relación con la procedencia de los aislamientos y la enfermedad asociada

BACKGROUND: The adhesion gene (hpaA) of Helicobacter pylori isolates from different Spanish regions was studied by PCR-RFLP in order to group the strains according to the origin of the strains and to relate it with ulcer or gastritis production. METHODS: One hundred and forty three Helicobacter pylori clinical isolates were obtained from the culture of gastric biopsies (29 from Ibiza, 39 from Madrid, 36 from Almeria and 39 from Aviles). After DNA extraction, a PCR was performed to amplify a 375 pb fragment of the hpaA gene which was digested with Hinfi and SauIIIa. RESULTS: The gene was detected in all of the strains studied. After digestion with Hinfi and SauIIIa, three and four patterns called 1, 2 and 3 and A, B, C and D were obtained, respectively. Strains from Madrid and Almeria showed the highest hpaA genetic variability. In the relationship with the pathology, patterns 1 and A were the most prevalent in strains obtained from patients with ulcer and with gastritis. CONCLUSIONS: The results of hpaA gene study show the genetic variability of Helicobacter pylori and slight differences according to the origin were found.