Research Article

Investigation of the Presence of Helicobacter Pylori and the cagA Gene in Nasal Polyp Tissues by PCR

Volume: 10 Number: 2 August 31, 2026

Investigation of the Presence of Helicobacter Pylori and the cagA Gene in Nasal Polyp Tissues by PCR

Abstract

Purpose: Nasal polyps are inflammatory lesions of the sinonasal mucosa and may be influenced by microbial factors. Helicobacter pylori and its cagA gene are of interest because of their possible association with mucosal inflammation. This study aimed to detect H. pylori DNA and the cagA gene in nasal polyp tissues by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 45 nasal polyp specimens from patients undergoing surgery. Genomic DNA was extracted using a commercial kit. PCR analysis targeted the glmM gene for H. pylori detection and the cagA gene for assessment of virulence-associated genetic material. Positive and negative controls were included. Demographic variables and PCR positivity rates were evaluated descriptively, and associations with age groups were assessed statistically.

Results: All samples were successfully analyzed. The group included 26 men (57.78%) and 19 women (42.22%), aged 15-75 years. glmM-based H. pylori positivity was detected in 19 samples (42.22%), whereas 26 (57.78%) were negative. cagA positivity was found in 16 samples (35.55%), whereas 29 (64.45%) were negative. Although glmM and cagA positivity rates were numerically higher in the 50-59 and 60-75-year age groups, no significant association was found between age group and PCR positivity.

Conclusion: PCR analysis demonstrated H. pylori DNA and the cagA gene in a subset of nasal polyp tissues, suggesting a possible association between microbial genetic material and the chronic inflammatory microenvironment. However, PCR positivity alone does not prove viable bacteria, active colonization, or causality. Larger controlled studies integrating molecular, microbiological, and clinical parameters are needed.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval was obtained from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Fırat University, prior to the study (Decision No: 26946; Date: 13.09.2024). Written informed consent was obtained from all patients before surgery. Throughout the study, patient information was anonymized, and all procedures were conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

References

  1. Fokkens WJ, Lund VJ, Hopkins C, et al. European position paper on rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps 2020. Rhinology. 2020;58(Suppl S29):1-464. doi: 10.4193/Rhin20.600.
  2. Bachert C, Marple B, Schlosser RJ, et al. Adult chronic rhinosinusitis. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2020;6(1):86. doi: 10.1038/s41572-020-00218-1.
  3. Stevens WW, Schleimer RP, Kern RC. Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2016;4(4):565-572. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2016.04.012.
  4. Leason SR, Barham HP, Oakley G, et al. Association of gastro-oesophageal reflux and chronic rhinosinusitis: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Rhinology. 2017;55(1):3-16. doi: 10.4193/Rhino16.177.
  5. Bansal D, Sharma S, Agarwal S, Saha R, Gupta N. Detection of Helicobacter pylori in nasal polyps. Head Neck Pathol. 2016;10(3):306-313. doi: 10.1007/s12105-016-0699-4.
  6. Gravina AG, Priadko K, Ciamarra P, et al. Extra-gastric manifestations of Helicobacter pylori infection. J Clin Med. 2020;9(12):3887. doi: 10.3390/jcm9123887.
  7. Abu-Taleb AMF, Abdelattef RS, Abdel-Hady AA, et al. Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori cagA and iceA genes and their association with gastrointestinal diseases. Int J Microbiol. 2018;2018:4809093. doi: 10.1155/2018/4809093.
  8. Jiang X, Huang Y, Li C, Jiang H. Oropharyngeal Helicobacter pylori colonization increases risk and worsens prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):44627. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-28593-3.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Infectious Diseases, Clinical Microbiology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

August 31, 2026

Submission Date

March 31, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 6, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 2

APA
Üstündağ, Y., Kavuk, A., Aşçı Toraman, Z., Tan, M., Kavuk, Y., Karadağ, K. Z., & Öner, P. (2026). Investigation of the Presence of Helicobacter Pylori and the cagA Gene in Nasal Polyp Tissues by PCR. Ahi Evran Medical Journal, 10(2), 265-274. https://doi.org/10.46332/aemj.1919535
AMA
1.Üstündağ Y, Kavuk A, Aşçı Toraman Z, et al. Investigation of the Presence of Helicobacter Pylori and the cagA Gene in Nasal Polyp Tissues by PCR. Ahi Evran Med J. 2026;10(2):265-274. doi:10.46332/aemj.1919535
Chicago
Üstündağ, Yasemin, Anil Kavuk, Zülal Aşçı Toraman, et al. 2026. “Investigation of the Presence of Helicobacter Pylori and the CagA Gene in Nasal Polyp Tissues by PCR”. Ahi Evran Medical Journal 10 (2): 265-74. https://doi.org/10.46332/aemj.1919535.
EndNote
Üstündağ Y, Kavuk A, Aşçı Toraman Z, Tan M, Kavuk Y, Karadağ KZ, Öner P (August 1, 2026) Investigation of the Presence of Helicobacter Pylori and the cagA Gene in Nasal Polyp Tissues by PCR. Ahi Evran Medical Journal 10 2 265–274.
IEEE
[1]Y. Üstündağ et al., “Investigation of the Presence of Helicobacter Pylori and the cagA Gene in Nasal Polyp Tissues by PCR”, Ahi Evran Med J, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 265–274, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.46332/aemj.1919535.
ISNAD
Üstündağ, Yasemin - Kavuk, Anil - Aşçı Toraman, Zülal - Tan, Mehmet - Kavuk, Yasemin - Karadağ, Kadir Ziya - Öner, Pınar. “Investigation of the Presence of Helicobacter Pylori and the CagA Gene in Nasal Polyp Tissues by PCR”. Ahi Evran Medical Journal 10/2 (August 1, 2026): 265-274. https://doi.org/10.46332/aemj.1919535.
JAMA
1.Üstündağ Y, Kavuk A, Aşçı Toraman Z, Tan M, Kavuk Y, Karadağ KZ, Öner P. Investigation of the Presence of Helicobacter Pylori and the cagA Gene in Nasal Polyp Tissues by PCR. Ahi Evran Med J. 2026;10:265–274.
MLA
Üstündağ, Yasemin, et al. “Investigation of the Presence of Helicobacter Pylori and the CagA Gene in Nasal Polyp Tissues by PCR”. Ahi Evran Medical Journal, vol. 10, no. 2, Aug. 2026, pp. 265-74, doi:10.46332/aemj.1919535.
Vancouver
1.Yasemin Üstündağ, Anil Kavuk, Zülal Aşçı Toraman, Mehmet Tan, Yasemin Kavuk, Kadir Ziya Karadağ, Pınar Öner. Investigation of the Presence of Helicobacter Pylori and the cagA Gene in Nasal Polyp Tissues by PCR. Ahi Evran Med J. 2026 Aug. 1;10(2):265-74. doi:10.46332/aemj.1919535

Ahi Evran Medical Journal  is indexed in ULAKBIM TR Index, Turkish Medline, DOAJ, Index Copernicus, EBSCO and Turkey Citation Index. Ahi Evran Medical Journal is periodical scientific publication. Can not be cited without reference. Responsibility of the articles belong to the authors.

    Creative Commons Lisansı

This journal is licensed under the Creative Commons Atıf-GayriTicari 4.0 Uluslararası Lisansı.