Correlation between serum levels of vitamin B12 and anti-Helicobacter pyloriIgA antibodies in vitamin B12 deficient Palestinian patients

Authors: RASMI ABU HILU, OSAMA DUDEEN, SAMEER ABDULLATIF BARGHOUTHI

Abstract: Background/aim: H. pylori infection and vitamin B₁₂ (vB₁₂) deficiency have high prevalence rates among Palestinians. It was observed that most people who suffered from vB₁₂ deficiency were positive for H. pylori. Materials and methods: The correlation between H. pylori infection and vB₁₂ deficiency was investigated in a representative segment of the Palestinian population. ELISA was used to determine levels of vitamin B₁₂ (vB₁₂) and anti-H. pylori IgA in sera from 238 participants from Al-Khalil district (Hebron), Palestine. Results: There was a strong negative Pearson's correlation coefficient (r = -0.45; P = 0.00001) between levels of anti-H. pylori IgA and vB₁₂ levels in sera drawn from 238 participants (133 patients and 105 control subjects). Two important contaminating variables were identified in this study: healthy control subjects with elevated anti-H. pylori IgA titers and vB₁₂-deficient patients testing negative for anti-H. pylori IgA antibodies. The exclusion of the sources of contamination resulted in a stronger negative correlation; r = -0.58 (P = 0.00001). Conclusion: The study provided a good screening system that may predict vB₁₂ deficiency before its actual manifestation. If not treated, asymptomatic subjects showing increased anti-H.pylori IgA titers (>15 NTU/mL) are likely to be at risk of developing vB₁₂ deficiency.

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori, vitamin B12 deficiency, cobalamin, gastroenteritis, correlation, baseline

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