Eur J Dermatol. 2009 Jun 15; Hernando-Harder AC, Booken N, Goerdt S, Singer MV, Harder HRecent evidence suggests that Helicobacter pylori infections play a role in the pathogenesis of a variety of skin diseases. The best evidence for such a link is found for two diseases: chronic urticaria and immune thrombocytopenic purpura. Other diseases that have a purported, but not yet proven link to H. pylori are: cutaneous pruritus, Behçet's disease, nodular prurigo and lichen planus. Based on the current evidence for a relationship between H. pylori and chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura the European Helicobacter Study Group consensus 2007 recommended the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in affected patients. Lastly, single or few case reports have documented associations between Helicobacter pylori infection and rosacea, aphthous stomatitis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, Schoenlein-Henoch purpura and Sjögren syndrome, but these are only descriptive in nature. Systematic studies examining the relationship between dermatologic entities and infection with H. pylori and documentation of the effect of H. pylori eradication are needed to further our understanding on this topic.
Rosacea is a common condition of unknown etiology usually accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms and favorably responding to the treatment with antibiotics. This study was designed to examine the prevalence of gastric Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection verified by 13C-UTB-test, CLO, Hp culture and serology (IgG) in patients with rosacea. Gastroduodenoscopy was combined with pentagastrin secretory test and antral and fundic biopsy samples were taken for histological evaluation (the Sydney system). Blood samples were also taken for the determination of plasma gastrin using RIA and plasma interleukin (IL)-8 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) using ELISA. This study was performed in 60 patients, 31-72 year old, with visible papules and pustules associated with erythema and flushing on the face and on 60 age- and gender-matched patients without any skin diseases but with similar as in rosacea gastrointestinal symptoms but without endoscopic changes in gastroduodenal mucosa (non-...