Implication of CytotoxicHelicobacter pyloriInfection in Autoimmune Diabetes

Background.Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) have been linked toHelicobacter pyloriinfection, although results are conflicting. No previous study addressed a possible link betweenH. pyloriinfection and latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). In this study, a correlation amongH. pyloriinfection and the risk of autoimmune diabetes in comparison with T2D was investigated.Methods.Sera from 234 LADA patients, 105 patients with late-onset T1D, and 156 patients with T2D were analyzed for anti-H. pyloriand the cytotoxin-associated antigen (CagA) IgG antibodies. Results. H. pyloriseroprevalence was comparable in LADA (52%), late-onset T1D (45%), and T2D (49%) with no gender differences. The seroprevalence of CagA IgG was significantly higher in autoimmune diabetes (late-onset T1D: 45%, LADA: 40%) compared to T2D (25%;p<0.028).Conclusions.AlthoughH. pyloriseroprevalence was similar in LADA, T1D, and T2D, anti-CagA positivity was significantly increased among patients with autoimmune diabetes, suggesting that more virulentH. pyloristrains might be a trigger for immune mechanisms involved in their pathogenesis.