The role of Herpes simplex and Helicobacter pylori infection in the etiology of persistent or recurrent gastric erosions: A follow-up study

The etiology of chronic gastric erosions is unknown. We have evaluated the significance of Helicobacter pylori and herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections, the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), alcohol, and smoking in a prospective long term follow-up study. A prospective series of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Digestive diseases and sciences 2002-04, Vol.47 (4), p.818-822
Main Authors: TOLJAMO, K. T, NIEMELÄ, S. E, KARTTUNEN, T. J, KARTTUNEN, R. A, KARVONEN, A.-L, PIIPARINEN, H, LEHTOLA, J. K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - adverse effects
Biological and medical sciences
Chronic Disease
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen
Helicobacter Infections - complications
Helicobacter pylori
Herpes Simplex - complications
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Other diseases. Semiology
Recurrence
Regression Analysis
Stomach Diseases - chemically induced
Stomach Diseases - microbiology
Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus
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Summary:The etiology of chronic gastric erosions is unknown. We have evaluated the significance of Helicobacter pylori and herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections, the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), alcohol, and smoking in a prospective long term follow-up study. A prospective series of 117 patients with gastric erosions and 117 controls were studied in 1974-1981, and invited for reendoscopy in 1996. At both visits, H. pylori infection was diagnosed by histology, serum HSV antibodies were measured, and the use of NSAIDs, alcohol, and smoking was evaluated by interview. Biopsies from erosions from the latter visit were studied for HSV by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the follow-up visit, 16 of 42 patients had still gastric erosions while six of 47 controls had developed erosions. No HSV antigen or DNA could be detected in biopsy specimens. However, only high antibody titers (> or = 32) against HSV at the first visit predicted persistence of erosions (P = 0.000), while H. pylori infection, use of NSAIDs, alcohol, or smoking were not associated with chronic erosions. High HSV titers at the follow-up visit were also significantly associated with concurrent erosions in the patient group. In conclusion, the results suggest that a significant proportion of chronic gastric erosions are related to HSV infection.
ISSN:0163-2116
1573-2568
DOI:10.1023/A:1014704419976