The Relationship between Severe Gastrointestinal Diseases and the Virulence Factors of Helicobacter pylori Strains

Abstract

Objective: This study explored the role of the virulence factors found in different Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) strains in the development of gastrointestinal diseases. Methods: A total of 501 patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal diseases at Wuhan Puren Hospital in the period from January 2020 to January 2022 were recruited. All patients underwent the urea breath test (UBT) and the H. pylori antibody test. Based on the detection of H. pylori virulence factors, the patients were classified into Type I (n = 296), Type II (n = 120) and Type III (n = 85) categories. Esophagogastric endoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy were used to observe the lesions in the patients’ gastrointestinal tracts. Results: The proportion of peptic ulcer formation/bleeding in the Type I group was significantly higher than that in the Type II and Type III groups. Further, compared with the Type I and Type III groups, the incidence of gastritis in the Type II group was lower, while the incidence of reflux esophagitis was higher. There were significant differences in the histopathological changes of colon among the three groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, the Type I group had the highest incidence of adenoma/cancer and the lowest incidence inflammation and polyp. Conclusions: Type I patients have a higher probability of peptic ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, colon polyps, and cancer. The H. pylori virulence factors are associated with the occurrence and progression of gastrointestinal diseases. Overall, the results of this study may be of use in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.