Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Bode

Publications and source records attributed to G Bode.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Inverse relationship between gastric colonization of Helicobacter pylori and diarrheal illnesses in children: results of a population-based cross-sectional study.

It has been suggested that carriage of Helicobacter pylori may protect against infections by exogenous intestinal pathogens. An analysis was done of all children who were screened for school fitness during 1996-1998 in Ulm, Germany, to compare rates of diarrheal illnesses in H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative children. Of 2477 5-8-year-old children studied, 304 (12.3%) were H. pylori-positive by carbon 13-labeled urea breath test. For H. pylori-positive children, diarrhea within the prior 3 months was less often reported than for H. pylori-negative children (54.3% vs. 76.1%; P<.001, adjusted for nationality). Compared with H. pylori-negative children, the odds ratio (OR) for the occurrence of diarrhea within the prior 3 months was 0.37 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28-0.49) for H. pylori-positive children; after adjustment for covariates, the OR was 0.56 (95% CI, 0.42-0.76). These data support the hypothesis that H. pylori colonization may protect against diarrheagenic gastrointestinal infections.

Child↗
PubMed2000

Helicobacter pylori infection among offspring of patients with stomach cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: A positive family history is associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer. We compared the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection, a known risk factor for stomach cancer, between subjects with and without parental history of stomach cancer to evaluate a potential role of H. pylori infection in familial aggregation of stomach cancer. METHODS: A total of 1351 men and women aged 30-74 years who participated in the German Health and Nutrition Survey conducted in the western part of Germany in 1987-1988 were included in the study. Detailed information on sociodemographic factors, nutritional factors, and parental history of cancer was obtained by standardized interviews. Serum samples were analyzed for immunoglobulin G antibodies against H. pylori by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The prevalence of H. pylori infection was much higher (69%) among subjects with a parental history of stomach cancer than among other subjects (44%). This association persisted after control for potential confounders by multiple logistic regression (adjusted odds ratio, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-5.9), and was particularly strong among subjects below age 55 (adjusted odds ratio, 5.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-16.1). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that familial aggregation of stomach cancer may be explained at least partly by familial clustering of H. pylori infection.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Seropositivity to chlamydial lipopolysaccharide and Chlamydia pneumoniae, systemic inflammation and stable coronary artery disease: negative results of a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the association between seropositivity to chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (cLPS) or Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP) and angiographically documented coronary artery disease (CAD), and we examined the relationship between serostatus and markers of systemic inflammation. BACKGROUND: The potential contribution of CP to atherogenesis is still a matter of debate, and inflammation has been suggested to represent the link between infection and atherosclerotic disease. METHODS: Subjects age 40 to 68 years were recruited for this case-control study between October 1996 and November 1997: 312 patients with at least one coronary stenosis >50% and 479 age- and sex-matched blood donors without manifest CAD or history of angina. Antibodies against cLPS and CP, C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, plasma viscosity, leukocytes and neutrophils were determined. The study had a power of >80% to detect an odds ratio (OR) of 1.55 or above for the prevalence of immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies against cLPS at a significance level of alpha = 0.05. RESULTS: Prevalence of IgG antibodies against cLPS was not different between cases and controls (61% vs. 62%; p = 0.7). The adjusted OR for the presence of CAD given positive IgG serostatus against cLPS was 0.9 (95% CI; 0.6 to 1.3). Similarly, no difference in the prevalence of IgG antibodies against CP was seen (88% vs. 87%; p = 0.6); the adjusted OR was 1.0 (95% CI; 0.6 to 1.6). Markers of inflammation did not show any statistically significant difference between cLPS seropositives and seronegatives. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate no strong association between CP and CAD, and increased systemic inflammation in patients with CAD does not seem to be due to seropositivity to cLPS or CP.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The industry view on long-term toxicology testing in drug development of human pharmaceuticals.

The approach to chronic toxicity testing over the past decade is reviewed and assessed in the light of developing ICH guidelines. The 1990's have seen a general acceptance that studies with a maximal duration of 6 months in rodents are all that is required for adequate safety assessment of developmental pharmaceutical agents. However, controversy has arisen concerning the most appropriate duration for chronic toxicity testing in non-rodents. Initial suggestions that 6 months duration was sufficient have been countered by findings noted in 12-month studies that were not seen in shorter-term studies. Retrospective analysis of available data eventually lead to a subsequent ICH recommendation that studies of 9 months duration would be now acceptable. However, until recently the FDA position on this recommendation was unclear and an analysis of industry practices since the ICH recommendation was made in 1997 has shown that the 9-month guideline is not widely applied. Recent clarification by the FDA will probably result in a continued but limited use of this alternative. An industry view on the future of chronic toxicology testing in rodents and non-rodents is presented.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Does maternal smoking hinder mother-child transmission of Helicobacter pylori infection?

Evidence for early childhood as the critical period of Helicobacter pylori infection and for clustering of the infection within families suggests a major role of intrafamilial transmission. In a previous study, we found a strong inverse relation between maternal smoking and H. pylori infection among preschool children, suggesting the possibility that mother-child transmission of the infection may be less efficient if the mother smokes. To evaluate this hypothesis further, we carried out a subsequent population-based study in which H. pylori infection was measured by 13C-urea breath test in 947 preschool children and their mothers. We obtained detailed information on potential risk factors for infection, including maternal smoking, by standardized questionnaires. Overall, 9.8% (93 of 947) of the children and 34.7% (329 of 947) of the mothers were infected. Prevalence of infection was much lower among children of uninfected mothers (1.9%) than among children of infected mothers (24.7%). There was a strong inverse relation of children's infection with maternal smoking (adjusted odds ratio = 0.24; 95% confidence interval = 0.12-0.49) among children of infected mothers, but not among children of uninfected mothers. These results support the hypothesis of a predominant role for mother-child transmission of H. pylori infection, which may be less efficient if the mother smokes.

Breath Tests↗
PubMed2000

Characteristic distribution pattern of Helicobacter pylori in dental plaque and saliva detected with nested PCR.

The precise mode of transmission and the natural reservoir for Helicobacter pylori are unknown. PCR assays have proved to be highly sensitive and specific and are regarded as the method of choice for detecting H. pylori DNA in the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and distribution of H. pylori in the oral cavity. Forty-two patients undergoing gastroscopy were investigated for the presence of H. pylori in dental plaque and saliva by nested PCR, and in the stomach by the 13C-urea breath test. Samples tested comprised dental plaque from molars, premolars and incisors and saliva. Two sets of primers homologous to the 860-bp fragment of H. pylori DNA, which have been shown previously to be highly sensitive and specific, were used for nested PCR. Eleven patients (26.2%) were infected with H. pylori in the stomach. H. pylori DNA was identified in dental plaque samples from 41 patients (97%) and in 23 saliva samples (55%). The prevalence in dental plaque from molars, premolars and incisors was 82%, 64% and 59%, with an odds ratio of 3.18, 1.24 and 1 (reference), respectively. In conclusion, H. pylori was present in the oral cavity of 97% of tested patients, with a characteristic distribution that was independent of the infection status of the stomach. Thus H. pylori may belong to the normal oral microflora.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Quantitation of Helicobacter pylori in dental plaque samples by competitive polymerase chain reaction.

AIM: To establish a competitive PCR (cPCR) assay for quantitation of H pylori organisms in dental plaque samples. METHODS: The cPCR co-amplified target H pylori DNA and a known amount of internal standard template in the same tube with the same primers directed to 0.86 kb DNA of H pylori. The internal standard was a synthesised DNA bearing the same primer recognition sites at two ends and a non-homologous core sequence as the target DNA fragment. Quantitation was based on determination of the relative, not absolute, amounts of the differently sized and [32P]-dCTP labelled products derived from H pylori DNA and the competitive internal standard after gel electrophoresis separation. RESULTS: A significant correlation between known amounts of H pylori added to dental plaque samples and the results of the cPCR was found, and a standard line was developed which allowed quantitation of H pylori in the plaque samples. cPCR was performed on supragingival plaque samples from 10 adult patients with H pylori infection in the stomach, and from five adults and six children without H pylori infection in the stomach. The ranges of H pylori numbers were 1-213 (median 25), 6-76 (10), and 4-94 (14) cells/mg of dental plaque in the three groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: cPCR is useful for quantitation of H pylori in supragingival dental plaque samples; however, the number of the organisms in dental plaque samples seems very low.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Acquisition of Helicobacter pylori infection in a high-risk population occurs within the first 2 years of life.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate age at acquisition of Helicobacter pylori infection, we conducted a study in a population of children known to be at high risk for H pylori infection. METHOD: Children with no symptoms who were of Turkish nationality and living in the city of Ulm, Germany, and nearby communities and on whom routine health screening examinations were performed at age 1 year (56 children), 2 years (55 children), or 4 years (69 children) were included in this cross-sectional study. Stool samples were collected by the parents and sent by mail to the University of Ulm. An H pylori antigen enzyme immunoassay for the detection of H pylori in stool was used to define current infection status. Sensitivity was 84.6% (95% CI 63. 1% to 94.7%) and specificity 97.7% (95% CI 86.2% to 99.9%) in the 4-year-old children in whom the stool test was compared with the (13)C-urea breath test. RESULTS: The prevalence of infection was 8. 9% (95% CI 3.0% to 19.6%) among the 1-year-old children, 36.4% (95% CI 23.8% to 50.4%) among the 2-year-old children, and 31.9% (95% CI 21.2% to 44.2%) among the 4-year-old children. CONCLUSION: In this high-risk group of Turkish children living in Germany, H pylori acquisition seems to occur mainly between the first and the second years of life. Therefore preventive measures such as vaccination necessitate application early in infancy. Further studies are now required to ascertain the mechanisms for transmission in this age group.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2000

Helicobacter pylori infection, intake of analgesics or anti-inflammatory medication, and personal factors in relation to dyspeptic symptoms in patients of a general practitioner.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have assessed the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and dyspeptic symptoms in highly selected patient populations and they have yielded inconsistent results. AIM: To investigate the relationship between current H. pylori infection, intake of analgesics or anti-inflammatory medication, and personal factors with dyspeptic symptoms in a large, unselected patient population of a general practitioner (GP). METHOD: Consecutive patients of a GP were invited to participate in a cross-sectional study regardless of the reason for their visit. Active infection with H. pylori was measured using the 13C-urea breath test (13C-UBT). A standardised questionnaire covering demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, and dyspeptic symptoms was completed by the patients. The number and severity of dyspeptic symptoms were quantified using a symptom score. RESULTS: Five hundred and one out of 531 eligible patients returned their questionnaires; a response rate of 94.4%. The prevalence of H. pylori infection, as indicated by a positive 13C-UBT, was 21.1% and was unrelated to dyspeptic symptoms. After adjustment for potential confounders by multiple logistic regression, a symptom score in the upper quartile of the symptom score distribution was significantly associated with female sex (odds ratio [OR] = 1.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1 to 3.0) and intake of analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs other than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.1 to 4.7). Older age (60 to 79 years) was associated with fewer symptoms (OR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.2 to 0.9) when compared with the youngest age group (15 to 39 years). CONCLUSION: Female sex, younger age, and intake of analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs other than NSAIDs, but not H. pylori infection, were independently associated with dyspeptic symptoms in this population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Infection with Helicobacter pylori is not a major independent risk factor for stable coronary heart disease: lack of a role of cytotoxin-associated protein A-positive strains and absence of a systemic inflammatory response.

BACKGROUND: There is controversy about the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and manifestations of coronary heart disease (CHD), the potential role of the more virulent H pylori strains, and whether or not a positive serostatus is related to increased levels of markers of systemic inflammation. METHODS AND RESULTS: We assessed the prevalence of an infection with H pylori and in particular the anti-cytotoxin-associated protein A (CagA) antibody response of the more virulent strains expressing CagA in 312 patients with stable CHD and in 479 control subjects. Serological prevalence of H pylori infection (IgG titer) was significantly higher in patients than in control subjects after adjustment for age and sex (44.2% versus 31.3%, P<0.001). After adjustment for various covariates in multiple logistic regression, the odds ratio (OR) for CHD was 1.3 (95% CI, 0.9 to 1.9) given a positive IgG serostatus. The prevalence of CagA-positive strains was 27.9% in patients and 21.7% in control subjects (P=0.076 adjusted for age and sex). The OR for CHD in the fully adjusted model was 1.1 (95% CI, 0.7 to 1.7). None of the inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, plasma viscosity, or leukocytes) was significantly different according to serostatus. CONCLUSIONS: In this large case-control study, the association of H pylori infection with stable CHD was strongly reduced and was no longer statistically significant after controlling for potential confounders. We also found no independent association between the more virulent strains and CHD. In addition, a positive serostatus was not associated with a systemic inflammatory response. Thus, these data do not support the hypothesis that infection with H pylori might be a major risk factor for stable CHD.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Inverse graded relation between alcohol consumption and active infection with Helicobacter pylori.

Alcoholic beverages are known to have strong antibacterial activity. It is unclear, however, to what degree their consumption affects colonization of the human stomach with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, a risk factor of various chronic diseases. The authors assessed the relation between alcohol consumption and active infection with H. pylori in a cross-sectional study among employees of a health insurance company and their household members (n = 425) in southern Germany. Quantitative information on alcohol consumption by beverage type and other factors that were known or suspected to be related to infection status was collected by a standardized questionnaire, and active infection was measured by the 13C-urea breath test. After control for confounding factors, there was a monotonic inverse graded relation between alcohol consumption and H. pylori infection (p for trend = 0.017). The odds ratio of infection among subjects who consumed more than 75 g of alcohol per week compared with subjects who did not drink alcohol was 0.31 (95 percent confidence interval 0.12-0.81). The inverse relation with H. pylori infection was stronger for alcohol consumed in the form of wine than for alcohol from beer. Notwithstanding its cross-sectional design, this study seems to support the hypothesis that alcohol consumption, particularly wine consumption, may reduce the odds of active infection with H. pylori.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Active infection with Helicobacter pylori in healthy couples.

The mode of spread of Helicobacter pylori infection is subject to ongoing debate. Recent studies among patients with gastrointestinal disorders suggest a potential role of conjugal transmission. In this study, the clustering of H. pylori infection was assessed among 110 employees of a health insurance company and their partners. Active infection with H. pylori was measured by the 13C-urea breath test. Information on potential confounders was collected by a standardized questionnaire. Overall, 16 employees (14.5%) and 24 partners (21.8%) were infected. While only 7% (6/86) of employees with an uninfected partner were infected, this applied to 42% (10/24) of employees with an infected partner. A very strong relation between partners' infection status persisted after control for age and other potential confounders (adjusted odds ratio, 7.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-26.7). Furthermore, the risk of infection increased with the number of years lived with an infected partner. These results support the hypothesis of a major role of spouse-to-spouse transmission of H. pylori infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Helicobacter pylori in dental plaque: a comparison of different PCR primer sets.

This study was designed to compare different primer sets for PCR analysis of H. pylori in the same series of 40 dental plaque samples. Three pairs of primers, HPU1/HPU2, HP1/HP2, and EHC-U/EHC-L, directed to the urease A gene, 16S rRNA gene, or 860-bp DNA of H. pylori, respectively, were used. Our results demonstrate that EHC-L/EHC-U were more specific and sensitive for H. pylori added to saliva or dental plaque than HPU1/HPU2 and HP1/HP2. The detection rates for H. pylori DNA in dental plaque samples from randomly selected adult patients from the Dental Clinic of the University of Ulm were 26.5% (9/34) for HPU1/HPU2, 78.9% (30/38) for HP1/HP2, and 100% (40/40) for EHC-U/EHC-L (P < 0.001). Nested PCR using primers directed to the 860-bp DNA of H. pylori further confirmed the presence of H. pylori DNA (40/40) in all these samples. Our results indicate that primers EHC-U/EHC-L are to be recommended for PCR detection of H. pylori in the oral cavity.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Helicobacter pylori among preschool children and their parents: evidence of parent-child transmission.

This study assessed the role of parental infection status in the transmission of Helicobacter pylori infection in a large population-based sample of preschool-aged children. The subjects, who lived in Ulm, Germany, and in two nearby communities, were screened for school fitness between January and July 1997. Their H. pylori infection status was determined by 13C-urea breath test. Of 1522 eligible children, 1221 (80.2%) participated in the study. Crude prevalence of H. pylori infection in children was 11.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.5-13.3) and 36.4% in their parents (95% CI, 33.5-39.4). The crude odds ratio (OR) for H. pylori infection of children whose mothers were infected was 16.5 (95% CI, 8.9-30.8) and 7.9 after adjustment for potential confounders (95% CI, 4.0-15.7). The crude OR if the child's father was infected was 7.8 (95% CI, 2. 5-24.2) and 3.8 after adjustment for potential confounders (except maternal infection) (95% CI, 0.8-19.1). The results suggest that infected parents, especially infected mothers, may have a key role in transmission of H. pylori within families.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Cytomegalovirus infection and coronary heart disease: results of a german case-control study.

This case-control study investigated whether previous infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) was associated with coronary heart disease (CHD). In total, 312 patients of German nationality aged 40-68 years who had a coronary stenosis of >50% of the luminal diameter were recruited for study. Controls (n=479) were voluntary blood donors. CMV serology was performed to determine presence of specific CMV antibodies (IgG, IgM, IgA ELA test; Medac, Hamburg, Germany). Rheologic and inflammatory markers were determined. The prevalence of specific IgG antibodies against CMV was 54.5% in cases and 49.9% in controls (P=.116). The odds ratio for CHD was 1.21 (95% confidence interval, 0.84-1.75) given a positive serostatus of specific IgG antibodies after adjustment for covariates. With the exception of C-reactive protein in controls, none of the rheologic or inflammatory markers was associated with CMV serostatus. Thus, serologic evidence of previous infection with CMV was not a major risk factor for CHD in this population.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Reply.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Journal Article↗