Correlation of Helicobacter Pylori Infection With IL-8 and Recurrence of Abdominal Pain: Our Experience from an Endemic Area

Abstract

Aim: The prevalence of H. pylori infection is widely distributed among young individuals. Interlukin-8 (IL-8) has a role in many gastritis disorders. Although the link between H. pylori infection and IL-8 secretion in children was established, its association to abdominal pain recurrence needs further investigation. We aim to study the prevalence of H. pylori in children presenting with recurrent abdominal pain and whether it is associated with high serum IL-8 in Egyptian children. Methods: This cross-sectional study includes 104 children; 80 children presenting with recurrent abdominal pain and 24 asymptomatic children used as a control. All studied cases were subjected to family history, and complete general and abdominal examinations. Stool samples were requested from each participating child. The detection of H. pylori antigen in stool samples and IL-8 in blood sera were measure by ELISA method. Results: Our results demonstrate that the prevalence of H. pylori was significantly higher (67.50 %; p = 0.001) in children presenting with abdominal pain compared to healthy subjects. The level of serum IL-8 was significantly higher and was correlated with the presence of pathogen-positive cases compared to negative volunteers. Conclusion: These findings imply that the infection of H. pylori, higher IL-8 in serum and recurrent abdominal pain among infected children were correlated with the age in children.