The Nonfunctional Allele TCRBV6S1B Is Strongly Associated with Helicobacter pylori Infection

To determine genetic susceptibility factors for Helicobacter pylori infection, polymorphic T-cell receptor gene elements were investigated in 203 H. pylori-infected individuals and 180 uninfected individuals (controls). H. pylori infection is highly associated with individuals homozygous for the nonfunctional TCRBV6S1B element (odds ratio = 5.9; χ(2) = 13; P = 0.00032; P value corrected for multiple comparisons [Bonferroni correction] = 0.00063).