ABSTRACT
Helicobacter pylori causes gastritis and plays a major role in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer' and gastric cancer. T lymphocytes are increased in H. pylori- associated gastritis, and lymphoid follicles are often found. Animal models have been used to investigate H. pylori infections including gnotobiotic and barrier born piglets and monkeys. IgG antibodies against H. pylori have been found in monkeys and in barrier born pigs infected with H. pylori. However, since one H. pylori strain was used as antigen, the results may have been due to heterogeneity between H. pylori host strains. The specificities and sensitivities of the tests used for detecting antibodies against H. pylori are highly dependent on the antigen preparations used. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay has been the most commonly used method to detect H. pylori antibodies, but varies with the antigen preparation. The number of patients described with increased antibody levels against H. pylori depends very much on the cutoff level chosen in a study.
