C-Reactive Protein and Immunoglobulin Isotypes Concentrations in Helicobacter Pylori Sero-Positive Children Attending a Tertiary Health Institution in Uyo, Nigeria

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory acute phase protein known to support active immunological responses during infection or tissue injury.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the concentrations of CRP, IgM and IgG immunoglobulin isotypes in children with Helicobacter pylori infection with a view to assessing the extent of infection and host immune and inflammatory responses.

Method: seventy-four (74) H. pylori sero-positive children were assigned into 3 groups based on their predominant immunoglobulin isotypes, namely Group 1: IgM+ve, Group 2: IgM+ve/IgG+ve and Group 3: IgG+ve. The concentrations of CRP using immunoturbidimetric method, age and body temperature of the children were determined. History of abdominal symptoms were also taken.

Results: The results showed that the concentrations of C-reactive protein and IgM isotype of immunoglobulin were significantly higher in groups 1 and 2 compared to group 3 (p<0.000) and correlated positively with each other (r=0.807, p=0.000) while IgG isotype was higher at the later phase and showed no correlation with C reactive protein. Abdominal symptoms were higher in (Group 3} the later phase of infection when the concentrations of CRP, IgM isotype and to some extent IgG isotype were declining.

Conclusion: Increased concentrations of CRP and immunoglobulin isotypes are not consistent with active bacterial invasion since abdominal symptoms are predominant at the late phase of H. pylori infection. Therefore, measurement of CRP along with immunoglobulin isotypes cannot actually be helpful in determining the extent of H. pylori invasion. However, the level of host immunological and inflammatory responses can be estimated.