Y Yamashita1, T Fujisawa, A Kimura, H Kato. 1. Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in children varies as a function of socioeconomic development, with low rates in developed countries and high rates in developing countries. The prevalence of H. pylori infection in Japanese children is unknown. METHODS: The present study examined the effect of living conditions on the prevalence of H. pylori infection in children. We determined the prevalence of H. pylori infection in healthy children of the Kyushu region in Japan and compared it with the prevalence in institutionalized children with severe neurologic illness. Serum concentrations of anti-H. pylori IgG antibody were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 336 healthy children and 56 patients with severe neurologic impairment. An antibody concentration > 50 units/mL was taken as evidence of infection. RESULTS: The prevalence of H. pylori seropositivity in healthy children increased with age (P < 0.0001) and was 29% in children 15-19 years of age. This value is slightly higher than prevalences reported in developed countries (5-15%), but is lower than in developing countries (30-60%). Seropositivity did not vary with respect to gender, water supply or location of housing. Helicobacter pylori seropositivity was more prevalent among institutionalized children aged 5-19 years than their healthy counterparts (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The intermediate prevalence of H. pylori seropositivity in healthy children between that measured in developed and developing countries is consistent with the socioeconomic 'westernization' of Japan.
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of Helicobacter pyloriinfection in children varies as a function of socioeconomic development, with low rates in developed countries and high rates in developing countries. The prevalence of H. pyloriinfection in Japanese children is unknown. METHODS: The present study examined the effect of living conditions on the prevalence of H. pyloriinfection in children. We determined the prevalence of H. pyloriinfection in healthy children of the Kyushu region in Japan and compared it with the prevalence in institutionalized children with severe neurologic illness. Serum concentrations of anti-H. pylori IgG antibody were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 336 healthy children and 56 patients with severe neurologic impairment. An antibody concentration > 50 units/mL was taken as evidence of infection. RESULTS: The prevalence of H. pylori seropositivity in healthy children increased with age (P < 0.0001) and was 29% in children 15-19 years of age. This value is slightly higher than prevalences reported in developed countries (5-15%), but is lower than in developing countries (30-60%). Seropositivity did not vary with respect to gender, water supply or location of housing. Helicobacter pylori seropositivity was more prevalent among institutionalized children aged 5-19 years than their healthy counterparts (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The intermediate prevalence of H. pylori seropositivity in healthy children between that measured in developed and developing countries is consistent with the socioeconomic 'westernization' of Japan.
Authors: Katherine H Baker; John P Hegarty; Brady Redmond; Nathan A Reed; Diane S Herson Journal: Appl Environ Microbiol Date: 2002-02 Impact factor: 4.792
Authors: Sam M Mbulaiteye; Benjamin D Gold; Ruth M Pfeiffer; Glen R Brubaker; John Shao; Robert J Biggar; Michie Hisada Journal: Infect Agent Cancer Date: 2006-09-14 Impact factor: 2.965