High levels of Helicobacter pylori antigens and antibodies in patients with severe acne vulgaris.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) may play a role in the pathogenesis of extra-intestinal disorders including dermatological diseases.

Aims: This study aimed to assess the levels of H pylori antigen and antibody in patients with acne vulgaris (AV).

Methods: This cross-sectional study compared the levels of fecal H pylori antigen and serum H pylori antibody in 100 patients with AV and 100 age and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Patients with AV were classified into mild, moderate, and severe according to the Global Acne Grading Scale. Levels of fecal H pylori antigen and serum H pylori antibodies were assessed using commercially available enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay.

Results: The patients with severe AV had significantly higher levels of fecal H pylori antigen as compared to the patients with mild AV, moderate AV, and healthy controls (P < .001). The patients with severe AV had significantly higher serum H pylori antibody as compared to the patients with mild AV, moderate AV, and healthy controls (P = .001). The levels of fecal H pylori antigen and serum H pylori antibody in the patients with mild AV were not significantly different from those in the patients with moderate AV (P = .49 and P = .05, respectively).

Conclusion: The patients with severe AV had higher levels of fecal H pylori antigen and serum H pylori antibody as compared to the patients with mild and moderate AV and with healthy controls. The indicators of H pylori infection were positively correlated with the severity and duration of AV.