RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 An inverse relation between CagA+ strains of Helicobacter pylori infection and risk of erosive GERD JF Saudi Medical Journal JO Saudi Med J FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City SP 393 OP 396 VO 29 IS 3 A1 Somi, Mohammad H. A1 Fattahi, Ebrahim A1 Fouladi, Rohollah F. A1 Karimi, Mohsen A1 Bonyadi, Reza A1 Baballou, Zohreh YR 2008 UL http://smj.org.sa/content/29/3/393.abstract AB OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is investigating the association of Helicobacter pylori H. pylori infection and its cytotoxic-associated gene A cagA strain with reflux esophagitis.METHODS: In a case-control setting May 2005-2006, patients with reflux esophagitis case group were compared with age and gender matched people suffering from symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease with normal upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings control group in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tabriz, Iran. The rates of H. pylori and its cagA positive infections were separately compared between the 2 groups and the subgroups with different severity of reflux esophagitis.RESULTS: Ninety-two and 93 patients were enrolled in the case and the control groups. The rate of H. pylori infection was insignificantly lower in the case group 81.5% versus 87.10%, p=0.29, odd ratio 0.654, 95% Confidence interval [CI] 0.293 to 1.495. The CagA positive infections were found significantly more frequent in the control group 59.1% versus 40.2%, p=0.01, odd ratio 0.465, 95% CI 0.258 to 0.836. There was no significant difference between the severity subgroups of the disease for H. pylori p=0.30 or cagA positive infection rates p=0.40.CONCLUSION: The CagA positive strains might have a protective effect against reflux esophagitis.