Mahdi Barzegar - Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Alzahra Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Hosein Nouri - Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Alzahra Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Omid Mirmosayyeb - Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Alzahra Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Hossein Motedayyen - Autoimmune Disease Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Science, Kashan, Iran
Nasim Nehzat - Universal Council of Epidemiology (UCE), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
Vahid Shaygannejad - Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease in the central nervous system. Association between NMOSD and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been investigated, but few studies have assessed the relationship between H. pylori and seronegative AQP۴-Ab NMOSD. Objectives: This study aimed to survey the association between H. pylori infection and NMOSD patients with seronegative AQP۴-Ab status, as well as the possible relationship between the presence of H. pylori and clinical characteristics. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Kashani Hospital affiliated with the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran, from October ۲۰۱۷ to May ۲۰۱۹. A total of ۳۵ consecutive seronegative AQP۴-Ab NMOSD patients and ۳۷ sex and age-matched healthy controls participated in the study. Demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained from all participants. We assessed participants’ seroprevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies against H. pylori. The Association of H. pylori with NMOSD was determined. Results: The frequency of IgG and IgM Ab H. pylori seropositivity in NMOSD patients was ۲۲.۹% and ۴۰.۰%, respectively. Among HC, ۱۱(۲۹.۷%) and ۲۰(۵۴.۱%) were positive for IgG and IgM Ab H. pylori. Although the rate of H. pylori IgG (OR=۰.۷۰۰, ۹۵%, CI=۰.۲۴۳, ۲.۰۱۷, P=۰.۴۲۰) and IgM Ab (OR=۰.۵۶۷, ۹۵%, CI=۰.۲۲۲, ۱.۴۴۴, P=۰.۲۳۳) seropositivity in NMOSD were lower than NMOSD, these differences were not statistically different. No clinical variables associated with H. pylori IgG and IgM seropositivity infection seropositivity. Conclusion: These findings show that possibly there is no relationship between H. pylori infection and seronegative AQP۴-Ab NMOSD.

Neuromyelitis optica, Aquaporin ۴, Helicobacter pylori