Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Patients Without Gastric Symptoms

Song, Jae Beom; Lee, Sang Ho; Shin, Yeon Myung; Choi, Kyung Hyun; Lee, Sung Do; Park, Young Hoon

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori(Hp) is not completely understood and it is a common human pathogen. The prevalence of Hp varies between countries and the organism is reported to be related to various gastric diseases. In some developing countries, the infection is developed at younger age and the infection rates are much higher than certain developed countries causing seropositivity rates to be higher throughout life.
METHODS
We studied 925 Korean patients without gastric symptoms who visited Kosin Medical Center from March 1994 to March 1995 for seroprevalence of Hp using anti-Hp immunoglobulin G monoclonal antibody.
RESULTS
Seropositivity of Hp was 10.5 % in the first decade which increased to 75 % in the third decade and the difference is significant(p<0.0001). Before 4th decade seropositivity was higher in females(p<0.014) and anti-Hp IgG titers were also higher than males which is also rneaningfully different(p<0.05). Thereafter the seropositivity was increased slowly or to nearly a steady state throughout life.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that the seropositivity of Hp in Korea is younger and higher than certain developed countries(Fig. 4).