Brief Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 14, 2010; 16(38): 4817-4822
Published online Oct 14, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i38.4817
Helicobacter species and common gut bacterial DNA in gallbladder with cholecystitis
Peren H Karagin, Unne Stenram, Torkel Wadström, Åsa Ljungh
Peren H Karagin, Torkel Wadström, Åsa Ljungh, Department of Medical Microbiology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 23, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden
Unne Stenram, Department of Pathology, Lund University, SE-22185 Lund, Sweden
Author contributions: Stenram U took part in designing the investigation, performed all histological examinations and participated in writing the paper; Karagin PH performed PCR analyzes and wrote the paper; Wadström T and Ljungh Å took part in designing the investigation and participated in writing the paper.
Supported by ALF and John Forssmans grants from the Lund University Hospital, Sweden
Correspondence to: Peren H Karagin, Post Doc, Department of Medical Microbiology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 23, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden. perenbaglan@yahoo.com
Telephone: +46-46-173298 Fax: +46-46-189117
Received: February 20, 2010
Revised: April 11, 2010
Accepted: April 18, 2010
Published online: October 14, 2010
Abstract

AIM: To analyze the association between Helicobacter spp. and some common gut bacteria in patients with cholecystitis.

METHODS: A nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), specific to 16S rRNA of Helicobacter spp. was performed on paraffin-embedded gallbladder samples of 100 cholecystitis and 102 control cases. The samples were also analyzed for some common gut bacteria by PCR. Positive samples were sequenced for species identification.

RESULTS: Helicobacter DNA was found in seven out of 100 cases of acute and chronic cholecystitis. Sequence analysis displayed Helicobacter pullorum (H. pullorum) in six cases and Helicobacter pylori in one; H. pullorum was only found in cases with metaplasia. Control samples were negative for Helicobacter spp. and some common gut bacteria. There was a significant difference (P = 0.007) between cholecystitis and control samples for Helicobacter DNA.

CONCLUSION: A possible relationship was detected between Helicobacter DNA and cholecystitis. Further serological and immunohistochemical studies are needed to support these data.

Keywords: Helicobacter; Gallbladder; Cholecystitis; 16S rRNA; Polymerase chain reaction