José S Merino1, Liliana Araneda2, Paulina Lincoñir-Campos1, Cristian Parra1, Katia Sáez3, Apolinaria García4. 1. Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile. 2. Unidad de Patología Cervical, Hospital las Higueras, Talcahuano, Chile. 3. Departamento de Estadística, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile. 4. Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile. Electronic address: apgarcia@udec.cl.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Mainly due to the high percentage of infection and the ineffectiveness of treatments, Helicobacter pylori is a global health problem. Knowing the age at acquisition is key to preventing the infection. PATIENTS: Sixty-seven mothers and their respective children participated. To evaluate the presence of H. pylori, the faeces of the mother and her child were analysed using the HpSA antigen test. RESULTS: 71.6% (48/67) of pregnant mothers were positive for H. pylori at the term of their pregnancy. In newborns, 8.96% (6/67) of them showed H. pylori colonisation/persistent infection. During the first month of life, a prevalence and incidence of infection of 23.9% and 13%, respectively, was observed. CONCLUSION: Overall, the results suggest that there is a high risk of H. pylori infection during the first month of life, even of the persistent type.
INTRODUCTION: Mainly due to the high percentage of infection and the ineffectiveness of treatments, Helicobacter pylori is a global health problem. Knowing the age at acquisition is key to preventing the infection. PATIENTS: Sixty-seven mothers and their respective children participated. To evaluate the presence of H. pylori, the faeces of the mother and her child were analysed using the HpSA antigen test. RESULTS: 71.6% (48/67) of pregnant mothers were positive for H. pylori at the term of their pregnancy. In newborns, 8.96% (6/67) of them showed H. pylori colonisation/persistent infection. During the first month of life, a prevalence and incidence of infection of 23.9% and 13%, respectively, was observed. CONCLUSION: Overall, the results suggest that there is a high risk of H. pyloriinfection during the first month of life, even of the persistent type.