The possible association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and chronic idiopathic neutropenia (CIN) was investigated. A total of 78 subjects with CIN were recruited in this case-control study. As a control group, 40 subjects without CIN were selected for comparison with the case group. All participants were evaluated for the prevalence of H. pylori infection by 14C-urea breath test. The corrected splenic index (CSI) was calculated, and serum IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and HsCRP levels were measured. The differences in CSI, serum IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and HsCRP levels were compared between CIN patients and controls, as well as between subjects with and without H. pylori infection. The positive rate of H. pylori was 87.18% in CIN group and 52.50% in control group, showing a significant difference (Fisher's exact, P=0.000). CSI values, and serum IL-6 and HsCRP levels in H. pylori positive-CIN patients were significantly higher than those in negative subjects (Mann-whitney U-test, P=0.016, P=0.001 and P=0.000 respectively), while IL-10 level declined significantly in H. pylori negative-CIN patients (Mann-whitney U-test, P=0.000). In control group, serum IL-6 and HsCRP levels in H. pylori positive individuals were also increased significantly (Mann-whitney U-test, P=0.000), while IL-10 level declined (Mann-whitney U-test, P=0.018). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that H. pylori infection and IL-10 were significant risk factors for CIN with odds ratio (OR): 3.09, 95.0% CI: 1.22-6.93; P=0.019, and OR: 0.17, 95.0% CI: 0.05-0.94; P=0.021, respectively. This prospective study confirmed the existence of an association between H. pylori infection and CIN, suggesting the screening for H. pylori infection and eradicating bacterium in positive cases seem appropriate and beneficial for those patients with CIN diagnosis.
Adult ; China ; Cytokines ; blood ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Male ; Neutropenia ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Prevalence ; Risk Assessment

Neonatal alloimmune neutropenia (NAN) is a disease that can cause severe and prolonged neutropenia in neonates. However, no report is available on the incidence of granulocyte antibody in neonates, the target antigen of this antibody, and the estimated incidence of NAN in Korea. Among a total of 856 neonates admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) over a five year period, a total of 105 neonates with neutropenia were enrolled in this study. Positive reactions were observed in the sera of six neonates (5.7%, 6/105) by mixed passive hemagglutination assay (MPHA). To confirm the presence of NAN, MPHA and granulocyte antigen typing (HNA-1a, -1b, -2a, -4a, and -5a) were performed on neonatal and maternal blood. To differentiate granulocyte antibody and HLA antibody, MPHA was also performed using HLA antibody adsorbed serum. We confirmed three cases (2.9%, 3/105) of NAN among neonates with neutropenia in which granulocyte antibody specificities (two anti-HNA-1b and one anti-HNA-1a) and fetomaternal granulocyte antigen mismatches were identified. In this study, the estimated incidence of NAN was 0.35% (3/856) among neonates admitted to NICUs in Korea.
Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods ; Neutropenia/blood/diagnosis/*immunology ; Korea ; Isoantigens/genetics/immunology ; Isoantibodies/*immunology ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal/statistics & numerical data ; Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Hemagglutination Tests ; HLA Antigens/immunology ; Granulocytes/*immunology ; Genotype ; Antibody Specificity/immunology

Drug-induced neutropenia (DIN), particularly that in which antibiotic-dependent antineutrophil antibodies have been detected, is a rare disorder. We report the case of a child with pneumococcal pneumonia, who experienced severe neutropenia during various antibiotic treatments. We detected 4 kinds (cefotaxim, augmentin, vancomycin, and tobramycin) of antibiotic-dependent antineutrophil antibodies by using the mixed passive hemagglutination assay (MPHA) technique with this child.
Anti-Bacterial Agents/*therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic/*blood/immunology ; Autoantibodies/blood/immunology ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Neutropenia/chemically induced/*diagnosis ; Pneumonia, Pneumococcal/complications/*drug therapy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed