Helicobacter Pylori

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World J Gastroenterol 2005;11(21):3273-3276 World Journal of Gastroenterology ISSN 1007-9327 © 2005 The WJG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Helicobacter pylori serology in a birth cohort of New Zealanders from age 11 to 26
J. Paul Fawcett, Gill O. Barbezat, Richie Poulton,Barry J. Milne, Harry H.X. Xia, Nicholas J. Talley
J. Paul Fawcett, School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Gill O. Barbezat, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Richie Poulton, Barry J. Milne, Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Harry H.X. Xia,Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China Nicholas J. Talley, Department of Medicine, The University of Sydney, Nepean Hospital, NSW 2751, Australia Correspondence to: Dr. J.Paul Fawcett, School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand. paul.fawcett@stonebow.otago.ac.nz Telephone: +64-3-479-7290 Fax: +64-3-479-7034 Received:2004-07-09 Accepted: 2004-11-04

Key words: H pylori; Seroprevalence; Cohort
Fawcett JP, Barbezat GO, Poulton R, Milne BJ, Xia HHX, Talley NJ. Helicobacter pylori serology in a birth cohort of New Zealanders from age 11 to 26. World J Gastroenterol 2005; 11(21): 3273-3276

http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/11/3273.asp

Abstract
AIM: To determine seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori)in the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study (DMHDS) at age 26 in order to investigate seroconversion and seroreversion from age 11 to 26 and the association of seropositivity with risk factors for H pylori infection. METHODS: Participants in the DMHDS at age 26 and retrospectively at age 21 were tested for H pylori antibodies using two commercially available ELISA kits. Gender,socioeconomic status (SES), smoking, educational attainment and employment at age 26 were tested for association with H pylori seropositivity. RESULTS: At ages 21 and 26, seroprevalence of H pylori using one or other kit was 4.2% (n = 795) and 6.3% (n = 871) respectively. Seroreversion rate was lower than seroconversion rate (0.11% vs 0.53% per person-year) in contrast to the period from age 11 to21 when seroreversion rate exceeded seroconversion rate (0.35% vs 0.11% per person-year). Serology in those tested at ages 11, 21, and 26 remained unchanged in 93.6% of the sample. Seroprevalence at age 26 was lower among those with a secondary school qualification (P = 0.042) but was not associated with gender, SES, smoking or employment status. CONCLUSION: H pylori seroprevalence in a NewZealand birth cohort remains low between ages 11 and 26. H pylori infection remains stable from childhood to adulthood although seroreversion seems to be more common in the adolescent years than in young adults.
© 2005 The WJG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

INTRODUCTION Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) is one of the most common bacterial infections in the world[1] and is now recognizedas the main acquired factor in the pathogenesis of duodenal ulcer disease[2]. H pylori acquisition (i.e., seroconversion) occurs at any age but chiefly during childhood[3]. Infection in adulthood appears to be stable and is unlikely to be resolved unless suitable antimicrobial treatment is sought[4,5]. Thus, although age is a risk factor for H pylori infection[6], the apparent increase inseroprevalence in a given population mainly arises from a cohort effect (increasing risk of exposure associated with earlier year of birth)[5,7]. H pylori infection appears to be declining in developed countries probably due to a decreasing rate of childhood infections associated with improved hygiene and socioeconomic circumstances. Of the many factors that have been investigated for their possible...