The prevalence of Campylobacter pylori gastritis among asymptomatic adults.

To determine the prevalence of Campylobacter pylori colonization in the healthy population we studied 54 asymptomatic volunteers and 65 patients referred because of gastrointestinal symptoms. All subjects underwent gastroscopy and gastric biopsy. C. pylori was isolated from 6 volunteers (11%) and 36 patients (55%). Histologic evidence of inflammation was present in 98% of the culture-positive subjects. Linear regression analysis revealed that the prevalence of C. pylori colonization increased with age. There was no difference in the isolation rate between the two groups when adjusted for age. Four of the six culture-positive volunteers underwent repeat endoscopy and gastric biopsy 1 year later; despite remaining asymptomatic, all still had positive culture results and histologic evidence of gastritis. We conclude that the prevalence of C. pylori-associated gastritis among symptomatic patients increases with age and that the organism may be present in the gastrointestinal tract for prolonged periods without symptoms or evidence of disease progression.