ATP 4 A autoimmunity and H elicobacter pylori infection in children with type 1 diabetes

Summary Persistent presence of ATP 4 A autoantibodies ( ATP 4 AA ) directed towards parietal cells is typical for atrophic body gastritis ( ABG ), an autoimmune disease associated with type 1 diabetes. We assessed whether H elicobacter pylori ( H p) infection might be associated with positivity for ATP 4 AA 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 H b A 1c 7·8 ± 1·6% (62 ± 17·5 mmol/mol)] seen at the regional diabetes clinic in K atowice, P oland. Patients were tested concurrently for H p infection by means of a 13C urea breath test. ATP 4 AA were measured using a novel radioimmunoprecipitation assay developed at the B arbara D avies C enter for C hildhood D iabetes, U niversity of C olorado. ATP 4 AA were present in 21 [30%, 95% confidence interval ( CI) =  19–41%] and H p infection was detected in 23 (33%, 95% CI = 22–44%) children. There was no statistically significant association between ATP 4 AA presence and H p status. ATP 4 AA presence was not associated with current age, age at type 1 diabetes diagnosis, diabetes duration or current H b A 1c. ATP 4 AA were more prevalent in females [42% (26–58%)] than males [16% (3–28%)], P  = 0·016. ATP 4 A are found in nearly one‐third of children with type 1 diabetes and more common among females. In this cross‐sectional analysis, H p infection was not associated with autoimmunity against parietal cells.