title: Cat owners' risk of acquiring a Helicobacter pylori infection.
abstract: In order to obtain information as to whether or not domestic cats are a significant reservoir for human Helicobacter pylori infection, H. pylori antibodies were determined in 59 members of cat protection clubs and in an age- and sex-matched control group. Using four different assay systems, the prevalence rates of H. pylori antibodies in the cat owner group compared to the control group were 29% and 34%, respectively (Pyloriset Dry), 27%/42% (Pyloriset EIA-G), 14%/29% (Pyloriset EIA-A), and 37%/42% (Cobas Core EIA). The differences between the two groups in the prevalence of H. pylori antibodies were not statistically significant. It is concluded that cat owners, even if they have a very intensive contact with their pets, do not have a higher risk of H. pylori infection than the general population.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Universität-GH Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ansorg
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Von Heinegg
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Von Recklinghausen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial