Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Warao lineage communities of Delta Amacuro State, Venezuela.
The purpose of this study was the evaluation of Helicobacter pylori infections in children and adults from two indigenous communities of Delta Amacuro State, Venezuela, that differ in hygienic conditions of the housing. The evaluation was performed in 98 children (mean age 7 +/- 3.37 years) and their mothers (33.96 +/- 13.77 years) from two communities of Warao lineage. Anti-H. pylori serum IgG and secretory anti-H. pylori IgA antibodies were determined, as well as total secretory IgA and H. pylori antigens in feces. Serological prevalence of H. pylori infection was 38% in children and 84% their in mothers. Children from the community that had the most deficient sanitary and hygienic conditions had significantly lower titers of specific IgG antibodies and total secretory IgA (P<0.0001) and a high percentage of them had H. pylori antigens in their feces (P<0.0001). The levels of specific IgA were similar in both groups. The results indicate that in these populations there is a high prevalence of H. pylori infection and that poor hygienic conditions can increase the risk of infection and damage to the gastrointestinal tract.
Instituto de Biomedicina, Ministerio de Salud y Desarrollo Social, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela. dprincz@hotmail.com
Diana
D
Ortiz
María Eugenia
ME
Cavazza
Orquídea
O
Rodríguez
Isabel
I
Hagel
María
M
Correnti
Jacinto
J
Convit
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007199:Indians, South American; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014687:Venezuela / Q000453:epidemiology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D007074:Immunoglobulin G