Comparative Sero-Prevalence Investigation of Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Beta Thalassemia Major Patients, Referred to Taleghani Center, Gorgan, Iran

Abstract Background and objectives: Recurrent Abdominal Pain (RAP) syndrome is a common disorder, especially in children with beta thalassemia major. These patients are predisposed to heart diseases which are caused by hemochromatosis (Iron overload), resulting in sudden death. Because of the role of Helico bacter pylori in causing abdominal pain and peptic ulcer, and in increasing the risk or exacerbating of heart diseases, it can be important in beta thalassemia major. This study aimed at determining the frequency of anti- H.pylori class IgA in patients suffered from beta thalassemia major. Material and Methods: In this descriptive-analytic Study, 132 beta thalassemia major Patients and 135 healthy cases were matched by age, sex and ethnic as a control group. The sera were separated from clot in first Seroepidemiology and along with the filled questionnaires sent to Immunology-hematology Laboratory of paramedical school, in which the samples were tested by ELISA method with Diagnostic kit for anti-H.pylori IgA and IgG classes detection. We analyzed the Data by chi square and Independent T and Fisher tests. Results: the results show that the difference between the anti-H.pylori class IgA in case (22.7%) and control group (17.8%) is not significant (P=0.6), But it is significant between anti-H.pylori IgG class, 81.8% for cases and 54.8% for controls (P<0.001). Conclusion: Based on the results, the rate of anti-H.P IgA class in case is 1.131 times more than control group, which is not significant. On the other hand , the rate of anti-H.P IgG is 1.478 times more than control group which is significant. Key words: Thalassemia, Helicobacter pylori, Gorgan, Sero epidemiology.