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Background: Helicobacter pylori is a highly prevalent microorganism and risk factor for gastric cancer. In this study, we evaluated the serum levels of PIVKA-II in patients with and without H. pylori. Methods: This study was performed on 90 patients (45 with H. pylori infection and 45 in the control group). After recording demographic information, serum levels of PIVKA-II were measured by the ELISA method. Results: We found no significant difference in PIVKA-II levels between all patients with and without H. pylori infection (P=0.08), but among individuals below 40, H. pylori infection was associated with significantly lower serum PIVKA levels in patients vs. controls (P=0.026). Among men, H. pylori infection was associated with a significantly lower serum PIVKA level than controls (P=0.038). Among all H. pylori-infected patients, females had higher PIVKA levels than males (P=0.037). Conclusion: Our results indicate that (i) serum PIVKA-II levels are lower in H. pylori-infected individuals under 40 and men than in non-infected controls, and ii) among all H. pylori-infected patients, serum PIVKA-II levels are lower in men than women and in those under 40 years of age compared to those 40 or above. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: H pylori plays a critical role in the development of stomach cancer, especially in people affected by the bacteria at an early stage of life. Th9 cells and IL‐9 play major roles in immune responses against various infections. IL‐9 is influential in chronic or acute inflammation of the mucosa. Aim: This study seeks to investigate the possible functions of Tc9, Th9 cells, and IL‐9 level in patients with inflammation due to H pylori infection. Methods: Eighty‐three patients with dyspepsia symptoms and twenty normal subjects with no sign and symptoms of dyspepsia were recruited. Frequencies of T‐cell subsets were determined by flow cytometry. Levels of cytokines IL‐9 family in the sera and supernatants of antigen‐activated PBMCs patients were measured by ELISA and flow cytometry. Results: The participants included 56 females and 47 males with a mean age of 39.2 ± 15.3 years. We assigned the infected group into peptic ulcer and gastritis (chronic active and chronic). Frequencies of Tc9, Th17, Tc17, Th17/9, and Tc17/9 increased significantly in the peptic ulcer, chronic active, and chronic gastritis, compared with the uninfected and healthy control groups. A significant increase was seen in IL‐9, IL‐4, and IL‐23 in the chronic active gastritis. Further observed was a significant increase in IL‐21 and a decrease in IL‐10 in the infected groups. Conclusion: The results revealed that increased Tc9, Th17/9, and Tc17/9 cells appear to be influential in the progression and severity of H pylori infection. Also, increased IL‐9 and IL‐4 levels and Tc9, Tc17/9, and Th17/9 were seen in chronic active gastritis patients. These findings may provide useful information for a therapeutic targeting of chronic active H pylori infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]