Brief Articles
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 14, 2009; 15(2): 204-210
Published online Jan 14, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.204
Prevalence of vacA, cagA and babA2 genes in Cuban Helicobacter pylori isolates
Lino E Torres, Karelia Melián, Arlenis Moreno, Jordis Alonso, Carlos A Sabatier, Mayrín Hernández, Ludisleydis Bermúdez, Boris L Rodríguez
Lino E Torres, Arlenis Moreno, Mayrín Hernández, Ludisleydis Bermúdez, Boris L Rodríguez, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biotechnology Division, National Centre for Scientific Research, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba
Karelia Melián, Jordis Alonso, Department of Gastroenterology, Medical and Chirurgic Research Centre (CIMEQ), Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba
Carlos A Sabatier, Anatomopathology Department, Medical and Chirurgic Research Centre (CIMEQ), Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba
Author contributions: Torres LE and Rodríguez BL contributed equally to this work; Torres LE, Melián K, and Rodríguez BL designed the research; Torres LE, Moreno A, Hernández M, Bermúdez L collected and processed the samples and performed the research; Melián K, Alonso J performed the endoscopy and managed the patient data; Sabatier CA performed the histology; Torres LE and Rodríguez BL analyzed the data and wrote the paper
Correspondence to: Dr. Boris L Rodríguez, National Centre for Scientific Research, Ave. 25 and 158, Cubanacán, Playa, AP 6412, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba. boris.rodriguez@cnic.edu.cu
Telephone: +53-7-20852-36/42
Fax: +53-7-2080497
Received: October 17, 2008
Revised: December 2, 2008
Accepted: December 9, 2008
Published online: January 14, 2009
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of vacuolating cytotoxin (vacA), cytotoxin associated gene A (cagA) and blood adhesion binding antigen (babA2) genotypes of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) isolates from Cuban dyspeptic patients.

METHODS: DNA was extracted from H pylori-positive cultures taken from 130 dyspeptic patients. Genotyping was performed by PCR, using specific primers for vacA (s1, s2, m1, m2), cagA and babA2 genes. Endoscopic observations and histological examinations were used to determine patient pathologies.

RESULTS: vacA alleles s1, s2, m1 and m2 were detected in 96 (73.8%), 34 (26.2%), 75 (57.7%) and 52 isolates (40%), respectively, while the cagA gene was detected in 95 isolates (73.2%). One hundred and seven isolates (82.3%) were babA2-positive. A significant correlation was observed between vacAs1m1 and cagA and between vacAs1m1 and babA2 genotypes (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively) and between babA2 genotype and cagA status (P < 0.05); but, no correlation was observed between vacAs1 and babA2 genotypes. Eighty five (65.4%) and 73 (56.2%) strains were type 1 (vacAs1-cagA-positive) and “triple-positive” (vacAs1-cagA-babA2-positive), respectively, and their presence was significantly associated with duodenal ulcer (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION: The distribution of the main virulence factors in the Cuban strains in this study resembled that of the Western-type strains, and the more virulent H pylori isolates were significantly associated with duodenal ulcer, ulcer disease being the worst pathology observed in the group studied.

Keywords: Cuban dyspeptic patients; Helicobacter pylori; vacA; cagA and babA