ATP4A autoimmunity and Helicobacter pylori infection in children with type 1 diabetes

Summary Persistent presence of ATP4A autoantibodies (ATP4AA) directed towards parietal cells is typical for atrophic body gastritis (ABG), an autoimmune disease associated with type 1 diabetes. We assessed whether Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection might be associated with positivity for ATP4AA in children with type 1 diabetes. Sera were collected from 70 (38♀) type 1 diabetes children [aged 13·2 ± 4·5 years, age at diagnosis 8·8 ± 4·3 years, diabetes duration 4·5 ± 3·8 years, mean HbA1c 7·8 ± 1·6% (62 ± 17·5 mmol/mol)] seen at the regional diabetes clinic in Katowice, Poland. Patients were tested concurrently for Hp infection by means of a 13C urea breath test. ATP4AA were measured using a…