Cat owners' risk of acquiring a Helicobacter pylori infection.

In order to obtain information as to whether or not domestic cats are a significant reservoir for human Helicobacter pylori infection, H. pylori antibodies were determined in 59 members of cat protection clubs and in an age- and sex-matched control group. Using four different assay systems, the prevalence rates of H. pylori antibodies in the cat owner group compared to the control group were 29% and 34%, respectively (Pyloriset Dry), 27%/42% (Pyloriset EIA-G), 14%/29% (Pyloriset EIA-A), and 37%/42% (Cobas Core EIA). The differences between the two groups in the prevalence of H. pylori antibodies were not statistically significant. It is concluded that cat owners, even if they have a very intensive contact with their pets, do not have a higher risk of H. pylori infection than the general population.