Age-related prevalence of Helicobacter pylori antibodies in Indian subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the age-related prevalence of Helicobacter pylori antibodies in Indian subjects without upper gastrointestinal symptoms.


METHODS
Sera of 340 subjects without any upper gastrointestinal complaints were screened for IgG and IgA Helicobacter pylori antibodies by the ELISA technique.


RESULTS
The prevalence of IgG and IgA antibodies was 22%, 56% and 87% and 48%, 58% and 83% in 0-4, 5-9 and 10-19 year age groups respectively; thereafter it remained almost constant upto fifth decade. A significant fall in IgG and IgA prevalence was observed from fifth to seventh decades.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data indicate that in India exposure to Helicobacter pylori occurs early in life and is widespread; about 83% of the population is exposed to Helicobacter pylori during the first two decades of life. The comparable prevalence rates of IgG antibodies to Helicobacter pylori and hepatitis A virus, in different age groups, in India and in the West, suggest a feco-oral mode of transmission for Helicobacter pylori.
Gill
H H
HH
Department of Gastroenterology, B Y L Nair Hospital, Bombay, India.
Majmudar
P
P
Shankaran
K
K
Desai
H G
HG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial