Washington: H. pylori, a gut bug, may be linked to type 2 diabetes, the commonest form of this condition, particularly in obese individuals, a study reveals.

H. pylori infection of the gut be acquired in early childhood, become persistent, and can lead to gastric and duodenal ulcers; these bugs have also been tied with higher risk of gastric cancer.

Treatment and eradication of these bugs with antibiotics have cured many patients with ulcers, revolutionizing treatment of this disorder, The Journal of Infectious Diseases reported.

Type 2 diabetes causes an estimated 3.8 million adult deaths globally. There have been conflicting reports about the association between H. pylori infection and type II diabetes.

Yu Chen and Martin Blaser, at the New York University School of Medicine, cross-analysed data from participants in two National Health and Nutrition Surveys (NHANES III and NHANES 1999-2000) to assess the association between H. pylori and levels of HbA1c or glycosylated hemoglobin (important biomarker for blood glucose levels and diabetes).

"H. pylori was consistently positively related to HbA1c level in adults, a valid and reliable biomarker for long-term blood glucose levels," said the study authors, according to an university statement.

Besides, this association was stronger in individuals with a high body mass index (BMI), a height to weight ratio, compared to those with a lower value.