Helicobacter Pylori Infection Might be a Potential Protective Factor against Classic Multiple Sclerosis in Guilan, Iran

Abstract

Aims: The current study was aimed to investigate any relation between H. pylori seropositivity to IgA and IgG with MS. Study Design: Cross sectional study Place and Duration of Study: The present study was performed in the Department of Microbiology, Guilan University of Medical Sciences between Aprill 2012 and Aprill 2013 Methodology: H. pylori infection was certified by ELISA in study group (n=46) and control group (n=46) using commercial assays (Anti H.pylori IgG and IgA,). Data were analyzed by using two statistical tests (Chi square and Spearman's rho correlation). Results: Seropositivity rate of H. pylori IgG was 33.3% in study group but 67.4% in control group and seropositivity rate of H. pylori IgA was 11.9% in study group but 30.2% in control group. The frequency of IgG seropositivity was significantly more in control group than study group (P Chi-Square =0.002 , Correlation Coefficient=-0.341 and P Spearman's rho correlation (Sig. 2-tailed)=0.001) ) and the frequency of IgA seropositivity was also significantly more in control group than study group (P Chi-Square =0.039 and Correlation Coefficient=-0.224, P Spearman's rho correlation (Sig. 2-tailed)= 0.039 ). Conclusion: H. pylori seropositivity to IgG and IgA showed significant inverse association with affection to MS. Findings of this study suggests that H. pylori infection is not a causative factor but might be a protective factor against development of classic MS.