Th1 immune response to H. pylori infection varies according to the age of the patients and influences the gastric inflammatory patterns.

To compare children and adults in respect to the effect of H. pylori infection on the gastric concentrations of cytokines linked to innate and Th1 immune response, as well as to investigate the changes in the gastric concentrations of the studied cytokines according to the age. We studied 245 children (142 H. pylori-negative and 103 H. pylori-positive) and 140 adults (40 H. pylori-negative and 100 H. pylori-positive). The gastric concentrations of cytokines representative of the innate and Th1 response were higher in the H. pylori-positive than in the -negative children and adults. The gastric concentrations of IL-1α and TNF-α were significantly higher, while those of IL-2, IL-12p70 and IFN-γ were lower in the infected children than in the infected adults. In the infected children, the gastric concentration of IL-1α, IL-2, IL-12p70 and IFN-γ increased, whereas in adults, the gastric concentrations of IFN-γ and IL-12p70 decreased with the aging. Increased gastric concentration of Th1 associated cytokines correlated with increased degree of gastritis that is the background lesion for the development of the H. pylori associated severe diseases. Concluding, Th1 response to H. pylori infection varies according to the age and seems to have determinant implication in the H. pylori infection outcomes.

A regulatory instead of an IL-17 T response predominates in Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis in children.

Th17 cells seem to have an important role in the efficacy of vaccines against Helicobacter pylori. Because children are a target group for human vaccination and Th17/T(reg) cells have intrinsically linked and antagonic commitments, we compared the gastric levels of Th17- and T(reg)-associated cytokines of children and adults. IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-ß1 levels and Foxp3(+) cell numbers were higher, but IL-1ß, IL-17A and IL-23 were lower in infected children than in infected adults. In conclusion T(reg) instead of Th17 cell response to H. pylori-infection predominates in children.

Hepatitis C, HCV genotypes and hepatic siderosis in patients with chronic renal failure on haemodialysis in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the HCV genotypes, hepatic siderosis, inflammatory activity and fibrosis of the liver in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) on haemodialysis in Brazil. METHODS: A cohort of 72 CRF patients was compared with a group of 65 candidates for blood donation (CBD). For the subjects selected, who tested positive for anti-HCV antibodies and were HCV-PCR positive, a protocol with epidemiological, clinical and laboratory information was completed. An ultrasound-guided liver biopsy was performed and histological analysis of liver fragments was carried out. The presence of HCV-RNA in plasma was established by nested-RT-PCR. The genotype was determined by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the PCR product. RESULTS: HCV genotype 1 was predominant in both groups, but genotype 2 was the second most common amongst CRF patients, and there was a significant difference when compared with the CBD group (P=0.016). Regarding inflammation and fibrosis, no significant difference was observed in the histology of the liver between the study groups. Siderosis of the liver was more prevalent in the CRF group (P=0.000). Severe complications of liver biopsies were reported in 10 CRF patients (13.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Genotype 2 was observed more frequently in the haemodialysis group. No statistically significant difference was detected between the CRF and CBD groups with regard to both inflammatory response and liver fibrosis. Hepatic siderosis has been attributed to excessive iron administration. As percutaneous liver biopsy resulted in severe complications, we suggest that other procedures of evaluating liver damage in CRF patients should be looked at thoughtfully.