Protein microarray analysis for detection of serum anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies after eradication therapy: a clinical follow-up.

Background/aims: We aimed to observe the changes in the anti-Helicobacter pylori (Hp) serum antibodies to Hp virulence factors after eradication therapy and evaluate the potential application value of protein microarray in detecting Hp antibodies after eradication therapy.

Methodology: A total of 107 Hp-positive patients with peptic ulcers (55) and chronic gastritis (52) were recruited. Serum antibodies to Hp urease (Ure), cytotoxin-associated protein (CagA), vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA), heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60), and anti-RdxA nitroreductase were measured. Four weeks after treatment, a 13C-urea breath test (13C- UBT) was applied to assess the Hp eradication state and to analyze correlations between the Hp eradication rate and the five antibodies. Six months after the therapy, protein microarray analysis was used to study the changes in these five serum antibodies.

Results: The overall Hp eradication rate was 86.0%There was no significant difference in the rate among the groups that tested positive and negative for the remaining four virulence factors.

Conclusion: The disease type and serum anti-CagA antibody levels affect the therapeutic outcome of Hp eradication therapy. Protein microarray detection of Hp-related antibodies did not have significant application value for the long-term follow-up of Hp infection after eradication therapy.