Helicobacter pylori infection and skin disorders

Hong Kong Med J 2014;20:Epub 18 July 2014

DOI: 10.12809/hkmj134174

REVIEW ARTICLE

Zekayi Kutlubay, MD¹; Tuba Zara, MD¹; Burhan Engin, MD¹; Server Serdaroğlu, MD¹; Yalçın Tüzün, MD¹; Erkan Yilmaz, MD²; Bülent Eren, MD³

¹ Dermatology Department, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Cerrahpaşa, 34099 Istanbul, Turkey

² Blood Bank, Tissue Typing Laboratory, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Cerrahpaşa, 34099 Istanbul, Turkey

³ Council of Forensic Medicine of Turkey, Bursa Morgue Department, 16010, Bursa, Turkey

 

Corresponding author: Dr Bülent Eren (drbulenteren@gmail.com)

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium that has been linked to peptic ulcer disease, gastric lymphoma, and gastric carcinoma. Apart from its well-demonstrated role in gastroduodenal diseases, some authors have suggested a potential role of Helicobacter pylori infection in several extra-intestinal pathologies including haematological, cardiovascular, neurological, metabolic, autoimmune, and dermatological diseases. Some studies suggest an association betweenHelicobacter pylori infection and skin diseases such as chronic idiopathic urticaria and rosacea. There have also been few case reports documenting association between Helicobacter pylori and psoriasis vulgaris, Behçet’s disease, alopecia areata, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, and Sweet’s syndrome. However, more systematic studies are required to clarify the proposed association between Helicobacter pylori and skin diseases; most of the studies do not show relevant relationships of these diseases with Helicobacter pylori infections. This review discusses skin diseases that are believed to be associated with Helicobacter pylori.

 

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