The significance of Helicobacter pylori in patients with nasal polyposis.

Aim: To determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori in nasal polyps and the transmission of H. pylori from stomach to nasal polyps.

Methods: In a prospective, controlled clinical research, 35 subjects with nasal polyps and 30 controls with concha bullosa (CB) were involved, and had been subjected to endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). In the biopsies of removed polyps and CB, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for detecting the H. pylori DNA. Blood samples of the test and control group were evaluated for H. pylori immunoglobulin (Ig) G and A antibodies by ELISA. The test and control group underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with taking biopsies from the stomach for PCR detection of H. pylori DNA.

Results: In blood samples, specific IgG and IgA antibodies to H. pylori were found in 30 (85.71%) of 35 polyp patients and in 16 (53.33%) of 30 controls. In 10 (28.57%) of 35 patients H. pylori DNA was identified in the nasal polyp tissue, but it was not detected in the CB specimens. H. pylori DNA was found in the stomach mucosa samples of all test and control group of subjects. Significant statistical difference was found in the H.pylori specific IgG and IgA between the test and control group (p less 0.006) and between the polyp and control biopsy specimens of H. pylori DNA by PCR (p less 0.001).

Conclusion: This research points to the colonisation of nasal polyps with H. pylori, the transfer of H. pylori from stomach to nasal polyps and potential role of H. pylori in emergence of nasal polyps.