The Impact of Helicobacter Pylori Infection on Lung Function and Severity of Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness in Subjects with Allergic Asthma

Problem statement: There is evidence that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection may modify immune response and decrease the risk of asthma and other allergic diseases, as well. Approach: To assess the impact of H. pylori infection on lung function parameters and severity of Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in subjects with allergic asthma. A cross-sectional study including 38 H. pylori positive subjects with allergic asthma (18 males and 20 females, aged 21-54 years) and an equal number of H. pylori negative subjects with allergic asthma studied as a control was carried out. The impact of H. pylori infection was assessed by comparison of mean values of spirometric parameters and BHR severity (measured by histamine challenge and expressed as provocative concentration of histamine that causes FEV₁ fell by more than 20% of its base value-PC 20) between two examined groups. Results: The mean values of spirometric parameters were similar in both examined groups. The mean PC20 was lower in the group of subjects with allergic asthma and serological evidence of exposure to H. pylori but statistical significance was not reached (2.89 Vs. 3.14 mg mL^-1, P > 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that in cross-sectional analysis there is no significant relation between H. pylori seropositivity and the values of spirometric parameters and the degree of BHR severity in subjects with allergic asthma.