title: Seroconversion for Helicobacter pylori.
abstract: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori antibodies increases with age, but it is unknown whether this is due to a constant rate of infection in different age groups, or whether most infection occurs in childhood. Follow-up data on infection rates and the course of infection in an untreated population are scarce. We measured H pylori IgG antibody concentrations in patients who were seen at our endoscopy unit between 1979 and 1983. 115 of 164 eligible patients (70%) participated in the study. H pylori IgG antibody concentrations were measured in two serum samples taken with a mean interval of 11.5 years. 56 patients tested positive at the first visit. During follow-up, 2 patients became infected (annual infection rate 0.30%, 95% Cl 0.04-1.08%). Evidence of infection disappeared in 6 patients: after gastric surgery in 3 and due to an unknown cause in the remaining 3 patients. A non-significant decrease of infection was shown in different age cohorts during follow-up. Antibody concentrations did not increase with age. These results strongly support the concept of dominant infection rates in childhood. Elimination of infection may occur in a few patients without eradication therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kuipers
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Peña
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: van Kamp
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Uyterlinde
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pals
authors.forename: N F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Pels
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kurz-Pohlmann
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Meuwissen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005773:Gastroscopy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G