Detection of Helicobacter pylori DNA in drinking water biofilms: implications for transmission in early life.
OBJECTIVE
To provide evidence of water quality as a risk factor for acquisition of Helicobacter pylori in early life, and to identify evidence for its presence within pots used to store drinking water.


RESULTS
A prospective cohort study of 65 infants was conducted in the rural village of Keneba, The Gambia. Age of H. pylori colonization was determined and water pot biofilms were tested for H. pylori by sequencing of amplified DNA. Use of supplemental water was a strong risk factor for H. pylori colonization in infants (OR 4.71, 95% CI 1.17-22.5). DNA with 95% homology to the 16S rRNA gene of H. pylori was isolated from biofilms of water pots.


CONCLUSIONS
Drinking water may be a reservoir for H. pylori in areas of the developing world where water quality is poor. Early introduction of water, particularly if stored in, or collected from contaminated sources, may be associated with an increased rate of H. pylori colonization.
Bunn
J E G
JE
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, MRC Dunn, Nutrition Unit, Cambridge, UK. jegbunn@liv.ac.uk
MacKay
W G
WG
Thomas
J E
JE
Reid
D C
DC
Weaver
L T
LT
D001483:Base Sequence; D018441:Biofilms; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D014871:Water Microbiology
D004269:DNA, Bacterial