Serum immune response to Helicobacter pylori in children: epidemiologic and clinical applications.
Antibody responses to Helicobacter pylori were measured by a solid-phase whole-cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 150 children and adolescents; in 47 consecutive children undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, including 17 with H. pylori infection before and after antimicrobial treatment; and in 46 family members of the infected children. Abnormal levels of either IgG or IgA were found in 6% of the 150 children. In the latter group the prevalence of H. pylori seropositivity increased with age. Parents and siblings of the infected children had 94% and 71% seropositivity, respectively, suggesting intrafamilial spread. Abnormal levels of IgG or IgA against H. pylori identified infected children with 95% sensitivity and 84% specificity. Eradication of the infection was accompanied by a significant decrease in IgG and IgA titers, with normalization in 10 cured patients in 12 months or less. We conclude that the method described for evaluation of H. pylori-specific IgG and IgA antibodies gives helpful information on the epidemiology of the infection and represents a useful adjunct to diagnosis and management of chronic gastritis in children.
De Giacomo
C
C
Clinica Pediatrica dell'Universitã di Pavia, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Italy.
Lisato
L
L
Negrini
R
R
Licardi
G
G
Maggiore
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D000918:Antibody Specificity / Q000276:immunology; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005756:Gastritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D005773:Gastroscopy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G