PREVALENCE OF ANTI- HELICOBACTER PYLORI ANTIBODIES IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS IN TABRIZ

Background and Aim:: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is chronic autoimmune disease that disables central nervous system (CNS) system. Pathogenesis involves a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Helicobacter pylori is the main cause of chronic gastritis and a major risk factor for gastric cancer. In recent years the infection with H. pylori also is recognized as a protective against MS in human. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of IgG and IgM anti- H. pylori antibodies in patients with Multiple sclerosis and determine association between the H.pylori infection and prevalence and severity of MS in Tabriz.Methods:In this cross-sectional study 100 serum samples of MS patients were collected randomly. ELISA kite was used to detect the presence of specific IgG and IgM antibodies against H.pylori in the serum samples. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was used to evaluate the MS patients.Results:No significant difference was observed in seropositivity among ages and between genders. A statistically significant difference was seen in EDSS value between seropositive and seronegative patients (P≤ O.O5).Conclusion:The result indicated that , MS patient with Helicobacter pylori infection showed lower neurologic complication, which can demonstrate a protective role of Helicobacter pylori infection in the MS development.