Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Prevalence of virulent Helicobacter pylori strains in patients affected by idiopathic dysrhythmias

  • IM - ORIGINAL
  • Published:
Internal and Emergency Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori virulent strains have been shown to affect cardiovascular diseases through molecular mimicry mechanisms. Silent autoimmune myocarditis has been hypothesized to be the cause of idiopathic dysrhythmias (IA). The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of virulent H. pylori strains in patients affected by IA. In this study,54 patients (40 men, mean age 44 ± 17 years) affected by IA and 50 healthy subjects (34 men, mean age 45 ± 9) were evaluated. IA, defined as dysrhythmias with no evidence of other cardiac pathology, were either supraventricular (SVA, 23 patients; mean age 45 ± 15 years) or ventricular (VA, 31 patients; mean age 42 ± 18 years). H. pylori infection and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were evaluated. H. pylori strains expressing the cytotoxin-associated gene A (cagA) and the vacuolating-cytotoxin A (vacA) were also assessed through western blot. The prevalence of H. pylori is similar in IA patients and in controls (42 vs. 44%; p > 0.05); H. pylori infection is observed in 48 and 39% of the patients are affected by SVA and VA, respectively. The prevalence of CagA-positive strains is increased in IA patients compared to controls (65 vs. 42%; p < 0.01); similarly, the prevalence of VacA-positive strains is also increased in IA patients (74 vs. 46%; p < 0.006). Excluding belching, infected patients did not show any difference in GI symptoms, when compared to non-infected subjects. From this study it is concluded that there is an epidemiological link between CagA and VacA-positive H. pylori strains in IA patients.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Frustaci A, Caldarulo M, Buffon A, Bellocci F, Fenici R, Melina D (1991) Cardiac biopsy in patients with “primary” atrial fibrillation. Chest 100:303–306

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Kumagai K, Akimitsu S, Kawahira K, Kawanami F, Yamanouchi Y, Hiroki T et al (1991) Electrophysiological properties in chronic lone atrial fibrillation. Circulation 84:1662–1668

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Deal BJ, Miller SM, Scagliotti D, Prechel D, Gallestegni JL, Hariman RJ (1986) Ventricular tachycardia in a young population without overt heart disease. Circulation 73:1111–1118

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Frustaci A, Bellocci F, Olsen ECJ (1994) Results of biventricular endomyocardial biopsy in survivors of cardiac arrest with apparently normal hearts. Am J Cardiol 74:890–895

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Viskin S, Belhassen B (1990) Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation. Am Heart J 120:661–671

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Topaz O, Perin E, Cox M, Mallon SM, Castellanos A, Myerburg RJ (1989) Young adult survivors of sudden cardiac arrest: analysis of invasive evaluation of 22 subjects. Am Heart J 118:281–287

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Schoenfeldt MH (1988) The cardiac arrest survivor: lessons from the electrophysiology laboratory. JACC 12:978–981

    Google Scholar 

  8. Lemery R, Brugada P, Della Bella P, Dugernier T, Wellens HJJ (1989) Ventricular fibrillation in six adults without overt heart disease. JACC 13:911–916

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Mac Arthur CGC, Tarin D, Goodwin JF, Hallidie-Smith KA (1984) The relationship of myocarditis to dilated cardiomyopathy. Eur Heart J 5:1023–1035

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Kawai C, Matsumori A, Fujiwara H (1987) Myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy. Ann Rev Med 38:221–239

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. De Koster E (1993) Microbiological aspects of Helicobacter pylori. Eur J Gastroenterol. Hepat 5:S33–S35

    Google Scholar 

  12. Gasbarrini G, Pretolani S, Bonvicini F, Gatto MRA, Tonelli E, Megraud F et al (1995) A population based study of Helicobacter pylori infection in a European country: the San Marino study.Relations with gastrointestinal diseases. Gut 36:838–844

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Calam J (1994) Helicobacter pylori. Eur J Clin Invest 24:501–510

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Walker MM, Pretolani S, Gasbarrini G (1996) Gastric carcinoma and gastric lymphoma. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 12(suppl. 1):33–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Moran AP (1996) Pathogenic properties of Helicobacter pylori. Scand J Gastroenterol. 31(suppl):3–10

    Google Scholar 

  16. Crabtree JE (1996) Immune and inflammatory response to Helicobacter pylori infection. Scand J Gastroenterol. 31(suppl):3–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Figura N, Tabaqchali S (1996) Bacterial pathogenic factors. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 12(suppl. 1):33–36

    Google Scholar 

  18. Gasbarrini A, Franceschi F, Gasbarrini G, Pola P (1997) Extraintestinal pathology associated with Helicobacter infection. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 9:231–233

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Gasbarrini A, Serricchio M, Tondi P, Gasbarrini G, Pola P (1996) Association of Helicobacter pylori infection with Raynaud phenomenon. Lancet 348:966–967

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Mendall MA, Goggin PM, Molineaux N, Levy J, Toosy T, Strachan D et al (1994) Relation of Helicobacter pylori infection and coronary heart disease. Br Heart J 71:437–439

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Reinauer S, Megahed M, Goerz G, Ruzicka T, Borchard F, Susanto F et al (1995) Schonlein-Henoch purpura associated with gastric Helicobacter pylori infection. J Am Acad Dermatol 33:876–879

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Figura N, Giordano N, Burroni D, Macchia G, Vindigni G, Gennari C et al (1994) Sjogren’s syndrome and Helicobacter pylori infection. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 6:321–322

    Google Scholar 

  23. Pellicano R, Franceschi F, Saracco G, Fagoonee S, Roccarina D, Gasbarrini A (2009) Helicobacters and extragastric diseases. Helicobacter 14(Suppl 1):58–68

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Franceschi F, Sepulveda AR, Gasbarrini A, Pola P, Silveri NG, Gasbarrini G, Graham DY, Genta RM (2002) Cross-reactivity of anti-CagA antibodies with vascular wall antigens: possible pathogenic link between Helicobacter pylori infection and atherosclerosis. Circulation 106:430–434

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Bunch TJ, Day JD, Anderson JL, Horne BD, Muhlestein JB, Crandall BG, Weiss JP, Lappe DL, Asirvatham SJ (2008) Frequency of Helicobacter pylori seropositivity and C-reactive protein increase in atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Am J Cardiol 101:848–851

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Andrew P, Montenero AS (2007) Is there a link between atrial fibrillation and certain bacterial infections? J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) 8:990–996

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Badran HM, Mahfouz ME (2007) Cytotoxin-associated gene-A bearing strains of Helicobacter pylori and a trial fibrillation due to ischemic origin: is there a link? Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 14:518–520

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Montenero AS, Mollichelli N, Zumbo F, Antonelli A, Dolci A, Barberis M, Sirolla C, Staine T, Fiocca L, Bruno N, O’Connor S (2005) Helicobacter pylori and a trial fibrillation: a possible pathogenic link. Heart 91:960–961

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Lown B, Calvert AF, Armington R, Ryan M (1975) Monitoring for serious arrhythmias and high risk of sudden death. Circulation 52(6 Suppl):III189–III198

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Negrini R, Savio A, Poiesi C, Appelmelk BJ, Buffoli F, Paterlini A et al (1996) Antigenic mimicry between Helicobacter pylori and gastric mucosa in the pathogenesis of body atrophic gastritis. Gastroenterology 111:655–665

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Malfertheiner P, Megraud F, O’Morain C, Bazzoli F, El-Omar E, Graham D, Hunt R, Rokkas T, Vakil N, Kuipers EJ (2007) Current concepts in the management of Helicobacter pylori infection: the Maastricht III Consensus Report. Gut 56:772–781

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Herbella FA, Patti MG (2010) Gastroesophageal reflux disease: From pathophysiology to treatment. World J Gastroenterol 16:3745–3749

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Good E, Wells D, Cronin P, Morady F, Oral H (2008) Images in cardiovascular medicine.Massive hiatal hernia and thoracic stomach illustrated by barium swallow during left atrial catheter ablation for a trial fibrillation. Circulation 118:2011–2012

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was partly supported by a grant from Associazione Ricerca in Medicina, Bologna, Italy.

Conflict of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Internal Medicine Department, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

    Francesco Franceschi, Donatella Brisinda, Francesco Buccelletti, Antonio Gasbarrini, Annarita Sorbo, Davide Marsiliani, Angela Venuti, Giovanni Gasbarrini & Nicolò Gentiloni Silveri

  2. Centro di Biomagnetismo-Fisiologia Clinica, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Policlinico Gemelli, Largo Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy

    Maria Pia Ruggieri, Peter Fenici & Riccardo Fenici

Authors
  1. Francesco Franceschi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Donatella Brisinda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Francesco Buccelletti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Maria Pia Ruggieri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Antonio Gasbarrini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Annarita Sorbo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Davide Marsiliani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Angela Venuti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Peter Fenici
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Giovanni Gasbarrini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Nicolò Gentiloni Silveri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Riccardo Fenici
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Riccardo Fenici.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Franceschi, F., Brisinda, D., Buccelletti, F. et al. Prevalence of virulent Helicobacter pylori strains in patients affected by idiopathic dysrhythmias. Intern Emerg Med 8, 333–337 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11739-011-0621-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11739-011-0621-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation