%0 Journal Article %T High Levels of IgA Antibodies to Helicobacter Pylori among Omani Women during Pregnancy and after Delivery %J Iranian Journal of Immunology %I Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research %Z 1735-1383 %A Al-Balushi, Mohammed Said %A Anthony Said, Elias %A Syed Hasson, Sidgi %A Zaid Al-Busaidi, Juma %A Al-Reesi, Iman %A Idris, Mohammed %A Al-Ghafri, Wadha %A Al-Kalbani, Moza %A Al-Jabri, Ali Abdullah %D 2016 %\ 06/01/2016 %V 13 %N 2 %P 114-123 %! High Levels of IgA Antibodies to Helicobacter Pylori among Omani Women during Pregnancy and after Delivery %K Antibodies %K Helicobacter pylori %K IgA %K infection %K Pregnancy %K women %R %X Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), is a common infection in pregnant women accompanied by variations in the levels of the IgM, IgA and IgG antibody isotypes. The variations of anti-H. pylori antibodies during and after pregnancy, and the extent of protection they provide to the mother and the fetus are not completely understood. Objectives: To investigate the changes of the anti-H. pylori IgM, IgA and IgG levels in healthy Omani pregnant women during pregnancy and 3 months after delivery. Methods: Serum samples obtained from 70 Omani healthy pregnant women, with no history of autoimmune diseases, were tested for anti-H. pylori IgM, IgA and IgG in the first trimester of pregnancy and 3 months after delivery. In parallel and as a control group, sera obtained from a group of 70 healthy non-pregnant Omani women were tested. The levels of anti-H. pylori IgM, IgA and IgG were measured using standard Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs). Results: Anti-H. pylori IgA levels were found to be significantly higher during pregnancy (p=0.046) and after delivery (p=0.02) when compared to the control group. Moreover, a significant increase in the levels of anti-H. pylori IgM, IgA and IgG was detected after delivery (p=0.002) when compared to the levels during pregnancy. Conclusion: Pregnancy is associated with an increase in the levels of anti-H. pylori IgA antibodies. In addition, anti-H. pylori IgM, IgG and IgA antibody levels increase after delivery. %U https://iji.sums.ac.ir/article_16662_ee4241d15ef496d8d1449e7e18915db6.pdf