Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are one of the most common, well-known pathogenic agents in the development of peptic ulcers. Some investigators have shown a relationship betweenH. pylori and Multiple sclerosis (MS). However, this relationship is controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the association between H. pylori infection and MS. In a prospective case-control study, we studied 78 patients with MS and 123 healthy blood donors (HBDs) for bacterial DNA detection and antibody assay. DNA extracted from samples (serum and saliva) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed in the detection of H. pylori genome. The presence of anti H. pylori CagA and VacA Immunoglobulin G (IgG) was measured in serum by Western blot technique. We found H. pylori DNA in both samples of the 32.05% (25/78) and 32.52% (40/123) of patients and HBDs, respectively (P=NS). Furthermore, anti H. pylori IgG for both antigens were detected in 21.95% (27/123) of HBDs in contrast with 25.64% (20/78) of patients (P=NS). Moreover, genome copy number of H. pylori was not significantly changed in patients (140 copies/ml) and HBDs (147 copies/ml). There was no significant correlation between H. pylori infection in both groups, but H. pylori CagA/VacA-IgG was found in patient quite more than HBDs (P<0.05) and these patients showed more positively for serum H. pylori genome. Although, these results indicate a lack of connection between the Helicobacter pylori infection and multiple sclerosis, the role of immune response against H. pylori in the modulation of MS requires further study. 

Key words: Helicobacter pylori, multiple sclerosis (MS), real time- polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot.