No association between Helicobacter pylori infection or CagA-bearing strains and glaucoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Accumulating evidence indicates that a variety of infections contribute to the pathogenesis of glaucoma. The role of Helicobacter pylori infection in glaucoma is controversial. DESIGN: Prospective, population-based study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with various types of glaucoma and a control group of patients with cataract. METHODS: We evaluated seropositivity to H. pylori and to its cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) product in patients with various types of glaucoma and compared the findings to those of a control group of patients with cataract. RESULTS: H. pylori infection and CagA seropositivity were detected in 31/51 (60.8%) and 26/51 (51%) glaucoma patients compared with 22/36 (61.1%) and 19/36 (52%) control patients, respectively (P=0.88, 0.67, not significant). Similar rates of H. pylori infection and CagA-positive strain were found in all glaucoma subgroups, and none of them was statistically different from those of controls. CONCLUSIONS: Neither H. pylori infection nor seropositivity for virulent CagA-bearing H. pylori strains have significant association with the occurrence of glaucoma of any type.