OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-H. pylori and anti-CagA antibodies in healthy children and to investigate those relation with age, sex, ABO blood groups and Rh status. METHODS: Serum samples from 386 children (187 males; 199 females), aged 1-15 years were tested for the presence of antibody to H. pylori and its virulence factor (CagA) by use of ELISA. ABO blood grouping were also done by hemagglutination test . RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence of H. pylori infection was 46.6%. The prevalence of anti-H. pylori antibody was significantly (p<0.05) higher in males (51.9%) compare to females (41.7%). The prevalence of anti-CagA antibody in infected children was 72.8%. Although, the prevalence of anti-CagA antibody was higher in males (78.4%) compared to females (66.3%), but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.07). In age subgroups of 1-5 years, 6-10 years and 11-15 years, the prevalence of anti-H. pylori was 37.6%, 46.9% and 54.9% and regarding infected-children the prevalence and the mean titer of anti-CagA antibody were 63.8%, 75.94 Uarb/ml; 75%, 63.32 Uarb/ml and 79.45%, 57.11 Uarb/ml; respectively. The seroprevalence of anti-H. pylori and anti-CagA (in infected children) were 53% and 77.3% in blood group A, 50.5% and 64.7% in blood group B, 44.4% and 62.5% in blood group AB, 41.6 % and 76.8% in blood group O, 45.9% and 73% in Rh(+) phenotype and 54.84% and 70.6% in Rh(-) phenotype, respectively. The prevalence of both antibodies did not significantly differ between ABO blood groups or Rh status. However, within blood group A, the prevalence of anti-H. pylori and anti-CagA was significantly higher in males compare to females (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results showed that almost half of the children acquire H. pylori infection. Anti-CagA antibody are also common in the children. The seroprevalence of anti-H. pylori and anti-CagA antibodies were higher in males and increased with age. However, the mean titer of anti-CagA antibodies decreased with age, inversely. ABO blood groups may partly influence the prevalence of H. pylori infection, especially in male gender.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-H. pylori and anti-CagA antibodies in healthy children and to investigate those relation with age, sex, ABO blood groups and Rh status. METHODS: Serum samples from 386 children (187 males; 199 females), aged 1-15 years were tested for the presence of antibody to H. pylori and its virulence factor (CagA) by use of ELISA. ABO blood grouping were also done by hemagglutination test . RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence of H. pyloriinfection was 46.6%. The prevalence of anti-H. pylori antibody was significantly (p<0.05) higher in males (51.9%) compare to females (41.7%). The prevalence of anti-CagA antibody in infected children was 72.8%. Although, the prevalence of anti-CagA antibody was higher in males (78.4%) compared to females (66.3%), but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.07). In age subgroups of 1-5 years, 6-10 years and 11-15 years, the prevalence of anti-H. pylori was 37.6%, 46.9% and 54.9% and regarding infected-children the prevalence and the mean titer of anti-CagA antibody were 63.8%, 75.94 Uarb/ml; 75%, 63.32 Uarb/ml and 79.45%, 57.11 Uarb/ml; respectively. The seroprevalence of anti-H. pylori and anti-CagA (in infected children) were 53% and 77.3% in blood group A, 50.5% and 64.7% in blood group B, 44.4% and 62.5% in blood group AB, 41.6 % and 76.8% in blood group O, 45.9% and 73% in Rh(+) phenotype and 54.84% and 70.6% in Rh(-) phenotype, respectively. The prevalence of both antibodies did not significantly differ between ABO blood groups or Rh status. However, within blood group A, the prevalence of anti-H. pylori and anti-CagA was significantly higher in males compare to females (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results showed that almost half of the children acquire H. pyloriinfection. Anti-CagA antibody are also common in the children. The seroprevalence of anti-H. pylori and anti-CagA antibodies were higher in males and increased with age. However, the mean titer of anti-CagA antibodies decreased with age, inversely. ABO blood groups may partly influence the prevalence of H. pyloriinfection, especially in male gender.