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Background & Aims: Helicobacter pylori infection was recently associated with iron-deficiency anemia. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between H. pylori infection, hemoglobin, and iron status using serum ferritin as a marker for total body iron. Methods: Serum ferritin, hemoglobin, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against H. pylori were assessed in 2794 Danish adults who attended a population survey. IgG antibodies were measured with an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, serum ferritin with an immunoradiometric assay, and hemoglobin with Coulter-S. Results: The seroprevalence of H. pylori infection did not relate to hemoglobin. Serum ferritin levels were significantly lower in men (114 vs. 120 μg/L; P = 0.01) and in postmenopausal women (63 vs. 77 μg/L; P = 0.02) who were IgG positive than in seronegative individuals. IgG-positive people more often had reduced serum ferritin levels (≤30 μg/L) than seronegative people. This association persisted in multivariate analysis after adjusting for possible confounding factors (odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval 1.1–1.8). Conclusions: Serum ferritin levels are reduced in people with increased IgG antibodies to H. pylori. H. pylori infection affects iron metabolism in humans. GASTROENTEROLOGY 1998;115:268-274

A characteristic feature of chronic antral gastritis is the abundant inflammatory response in close association with Helicobacter pylori, but the immunopathological mechanisms of tissue damage are unknown. Because reactive oxygen radicals have been implicated in the tissue damage of other chronic inflammatory disorders, we investigated the potential ability of H. pylori sonicate to influence the oxidative burst responsiveness of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes. For both cell types, a dose-dependent stimulation in a chemiluminescence system was observed. Furthermore, preincubation in sonicate caused a marked priming of the cells to subsequent stimulation with the oligopeptide N-f-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine and phorbol-myristate-acetate. The sonicate activity was nondialysable, completely destroyed by proteinase and resistant to heat treatment. However, dialysis of boiled sonicate significantly reduced the activity, suggesting the breakdown of a larger molecule(s) to smaller fragments still biologically active. Preliminary experiments suggest that the activity is 25-35 kilodaltons. The demonstration of a protein with stimulatory activity for production of reactive oxygen radicals by human phagocytes may contribute to the understanding of the immunopathology associated with H. pylori infection.

Recent studies have suggested a relationship between iron deficiency anemia and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Furthermore, we have previously reported an association between 11. pylori infection and reduced serum ferritin values; a marker for total body iron. Purpose: to examine whether H. pylori infection affects red blood cell (RBC) characteristics in humans. Methods: In 1994, 2407 Danish adults with no history of peptic ulcer disease, attended a follow-up examination as part of a prospective cohort study initiated in October 1982. A total of 275 blood donors were excluded from the study group. H. pylori infection status was assessed with a validated IgG ELISA. Red blood eel! count (RBCC), red blood cell volume (hematocrit-RBCV), mean RBC haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean RBC volume (MCV), and mean RBC haemoglobin (MCli) were assessed. Information on socio-demographic factors and medical history was ascertained from a questionnaire. Results: The table shows median and interquartile values of RBCC, RBCV, MCIIC, MCV, MCH, "by sex and H. pylori infection status in 1994.