How come I've got it? (A review of Helicobacter pylori transmission).
Numerous epidemiological studies have shown the two main risk factors for Helicobacter pylori acquisition: childhood and low socio-economic level both in developing and developed countries. Nevertheless, in the absence of ubiquitous extra-human reservoir(s), the route(s) for person-to-person transmission remains undetermined. Very recent data favour the oro-oral route: besides gastric mucosa, mouth might be a sanctuary site and the oro-oral transmission hypothesis seems applicable worldwide. Nevertheless, the gastro-oral route (vomiting, gastro-oesophageal reflux) is still possible and deserves further research. In developing countries, feco-oral transmission (perhaps through the water supply) might be a significant mechanism of human contamination both for primary infection in children and perhaps, reinfection in adults.
Deltenre
M
M
Gastro Enterology, CHU Univ. Brugmann ULB-VUB, Brussels, Belgium.
de Koster
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors