Influence of Helicobacter pylori genetic type on gastroesophageal acid reflux disease in children and teenagers

Introduction: The role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains controversial. It seems that the genotype of H. pylori influences that dependence. Aim: To assess the significance of H. pylori genotype in gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in children and teenagers.
Material and methods: Hundred and one children in whom endoscopy of the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract was performed and H. pylori infection was demonstrated in histopathological and/or urease test and urea breath test. Helicobacter pylori identification was performed using the PCR method to determine the genetic type of CagA and VacA. Triple-drug eradication therapy was introduced. pH-metric examination was performed before and after treatment.
Results: Infection with type I strain was found in 32.7% of patients, type II in 67.3%. Concerning the group of patients infected with type I H. pylori, GER was found in 57.6% of patients, while 45.6% infected with type II H. pylori suffered from GER. It was induced de novo in 15% of patients in the group of patients infected with type I and in 15% of cases was removed after eradication. Change concerning GER intensity degree did not occur in 70% of patients. Gastroesophageal reflux was induced de novo in the group of patients infected with type II H. pylori in 12.8% of cases and GER was removed after eradication in 12.8%. Change concerning GER intensity degree did not occur in 74.4% of patients. The pH-metry result after treatment was non-diagnostic in 5 patients. These differences were not statistically significant.
Conclusions: Genetic type of H. pylori did not influence gastroesophageal reflux occurrence or change of gastro­esophageal reflux intensity degree after eradication.