RESUMEN
UNLABELLED: Bacteria virulent proteins, among other vacA, have a significant role in the occurrence of gastric mucositis. AIM: The aim of the study was the evaluation of occurrence rate of alleles s1 and s2 of Helicobacter pylori vacA genome in children and adults, inhabitants of the Podlasie province. It was also to determine the correlation between infection with a determined s1 or s2 vacA genotype of the bacterium and the degree of severity and activity of antral mucositis. METHODS: 68-H. pylori infected persons (38 children and 30 adults) were examined, vacA genotypes of 70 H. pylori strain were evaluated. RESULTS: The degree of inflammatory changes in antral mucosa was differentiated and depended on vacA alleles of H. pylori strain. Allele s1 more frequently coexisted with moderate and severe antral mucositis in adults than in children (56.3% vs 50,0%, respectively). Allele s1 occurrence correlated with high activity inflammation in 47.5% of cases, medium activity--18.6%, and low activity--5.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Allele s1 was more frequently stated both in children and adults (86.8% and 81.3%, respectively) as compared to allele s2. Allele s1 also more frequently coexisted with low-activity inflammation or with no-activity inflammation of antral mucositis in children than in adults (36.8% vs 18.8%, respectively).