Helicobacter pylori, HIV and Gastric Hypochlorhydria in the Malawian Population



Geraghty, Joe, Thumbs, Alexander, Kankwatira, Anstead, Andrews, Tim, Moore, Andrew, Malamba, Rose, Mtunthama, Neema, Hellberg, Kai, Kalongolera, Lughano, O'Toole, Paul
et al (show 3 more authors) (2015) Helicobacter pylori, HIV and Gastric Hypochlorhydria in the Malawian Population. PloS One, 10 (8). e0132043-.

[img] Text
journal.pone.0132043 published.pdf - Unspecified

Download (406kB)

Abstract

Background HIV and Helicobacter pylori are common chronic infections in sub-Saharan Africa. Both conditions can predispose to gastric hypochlorhydria that may be a risk factor for enteric infections and reduced drug absorption. We have investigated to what extent HIV and H. pylori infections are associated with hypochlorhydria in a Malawian cohort of patients undergoing endoscopy. Methods 104 sequential symptomatic adults referred for gastroscopy at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi, had blood taken for rapid HIV testing and fasting serum gastrin analysis. Gastric fluid was aspirated for pH testing, and gastric biopsies were taken. Results After 9/104 HIV-infected patients who were already established on anti-retroviral therapy were excluded, 17/95 (25.0%) were seropositive for untreated HIV, and 68/95 (71.6%) patients were H. pylori positive by histology. Hypochlorhydria (fasting gastric pH>4.0) was present in 55.8% (53/95) of patients. H. pylori infection was significantly associated with hypochlorhydria (OR 2.91, [1.02-7.75], p=0.046). While single infection with HIV was not significantly independently associated with hypochlorhydria. H. pylori and HIV co-infection was more strongly associated with hypochlorhydria (OR 6.25, [1.33-29.43], p=0.020) than either infection alone, suggesting an additive effect of co-infection. HIV infection was associated with higher serum gastrin levels (91.3pM vs. 53.1pM, p=0.040), while H. pylori infection was not (63.1pM vs. 55.1pM, p=0.610). Irrespective of H. pylori and HIV status, most patients (>90%) exhibited pangastritis. Only three patients had histological evidence of gastric atrophy, of which only one was HIV-infected. Conclusion H. pylori infection was associated with fasting hypochlorhydria, while HIV was not independently associated. HIV and H. pylori co-infection, however, was more strongly associated with hypochlorhydria than H. pylori infection alone. The mechanism of this apparent additive effect between HIV and H. pylori remains unclear, but appears to be related to chronic pangastritis rather than gastric atrophy, and associated with hypergastrinaemia in HIV-infected individuals.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Gastric Acid, Humans, Helicobacter pylori, Helicobacter Infections, HIV Infections, Achlorhydria, Gastroscopy, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Middle Aged, Malawi, Female, Male, Young Adult, Coinfection
Subjects: ?? R1 ??
?? RC ??
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 15 Sep 2015 08:34
Last Modified: 15 Dec 2022 23:47
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132043
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/2025662