Implication of Cytotoxic Helicobacter pylori Infection in Autoimmune Diabetes

Abstract EN

Background.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) have been linked to Helicobacter pylori infection, although results are conflicting.

No previous study addressed a possible link between H.

pylori infection and latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA).

In this study, a correlation among H.

pylori infection and the risk of autoimmune diabetes in comparison with T2D was investigated.

Methods.

Sera from 234 LADA patients, 105 patients with late-onset T1D, and 156 patients with T2D were analyzed for anti-H.

pylori and the cytotoxin-associated antigen (CagA) IgG antibodies.

Results.

H.

pylori seroprevalence was comparable in LADA (52%), late-onset T1D (45%), and T2D (49%) with no gender differences.

The seroprevalence of CagA IgG was significantly higher in autoimmune diabetes (late-onset T1D: 45%, LADA: 40%) compared to T2D (25%; p<0.028).

Conclusions.

Although H.

pylori seroprevalence was similar in LADA, T1D, and T2D, anti-CagA positivity was significantly increased among patients with autoimmune diabetes, suggesting that more virulent H.

pylori strains might be a trigger for immune mechanisms involved in their pathogenesis.