Survey on the association of seropositivity of H.pylori IgG with acute myocardial infarction

Some investigators reported that there is a relationship between H.pylori chronic infection and the prevalence of acute coronary artery disease (CAD). It is suggested that H.pylori chronic infection causes some changes in serum levels of lipids and lipoproteins and produces inflammatory proteins which could give rise to thrombogenesis. In order to confirm any correlation between positive history of H.pylori infection and the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction due to CAD a study has been performed on 104 cases of acute myocardial infarction diagnosed by history, ECG findings and elevation of the enzymes. Serum levels of H.pylori specific IgG have been measured by ELISA technique. The results have been compared with those of 100 healthy subjects without gastrointestinal disease. The control group consists of 80 males and 20 females aged between 40-90 years (Mean 57 years for males and 56 for females). The case group consisted of 83 males and 21 females with the age range of 30-85 years (Mean 59 years for males and 64 years for females). This investigation showed that 39.4% of patients with acute myocardial infarction were positive for H.pylori-specific IgG and the remainder were negative. However only 16% were positive for H.pylori specific IgG among the control group. Therefore it is concluded that the seropositivity rate of anti-H.pylori IgG in the test group was greater than that of the control group and this difference was statistically significant (P=0.0002). However no relationship has been found between serum level of H.pylori-specific IgG and dyspepsia. No significant relationship has been observed between H.pylori infection and coronary artery disease risk factors (P>0.05). Generally the results indicated that H.pylori infection as a risk factor may have a role in causing myocardial infarction (Independent of other risk factors).