Detection of a Helicobacter pylori antigen in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with meningitis

J Immunoassay Immunochem. 2007;28(1):25-33. doi: 10.1080/15321810601026075.

Abstract

Meningitis is a common life threatening disease which may be caused by a bacterium, fungus, or virus. Here, the presence of a Helicobacter pylori antigen was investigated in serum and CSF samples from 173 individuals with meningitis. The influence of H. pylori infection on CSF levels of Thl/Th2 cytokines was also evaluated. H. pylori antigen was detected using ELISA and Western blot based on specific anti-H. pylori antibody. Thl/Th2 cytokines (IFN-gamma & IL-10, respectively) were also determined. A target epitope of 58-kDa was detected in selected CSF and serum samples using Western blot. H. pylori antigen was detected in the CSF samples of 75% of meningitis patients showing H. pylori antigen in their sera. A significant correlation (p < 0.001, r = 0.21) was shown between serum and CSF levels of 58-kDa H. pylori antigen. Only the levels of Thl cytokine (IFN-gamma) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in CSF of meningitis patients positive for H. pylori antigen than negative patients with meningitis. In conclusion, the 58-kDa H. pylori antigen crossed the blood brain barrier and entered the CSF of patients with meningitis. A significant upregulation of Thl response may be associated with H. pylori infection in patients with meningitis.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antigens, Bacterial / blood
  • Antigens, Bacterial / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Antigens, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Helicobacter Infections / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Helicobacter Infections / complications
  • Helicobacter Infections / immunology*
  • Helicobacter Infections / microbiology
  • Helicobacter pylori / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Meningitis / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Meningitis / complications
  • Meningitis / immunology*
  • Meningitis / microbiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Structure
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Cytokines