The prevalence and incidence of Helicobacter pylori infections among young recruits during service in the Hungarian Army.
BACKGROUND
A vast number of data indicate that the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infections is positively correlated with age and is different in various countries. Although our knowledge of transmission of H. pylori is very limited, it is reasonable to assume that it could be much more contagious in closed communities, for example in garrisons, than in normal populations.


METHODS
Young male recruits (aged 19-23 years) in the Hungarian Army were tested for seropositivity at the beginning and at the end of their military service.


RESULTS
The prevalence of H. pylori seropositivity was found to be 23% (*CI95%: 21-24%) among the young male recruits. Seroconversion among the formerly seronegative persons after completing either their 9-month or 6-month military service was 30% (CI95%: 25-35%) and 23% (CI95%: 8-45%), respectively. In those groups, where either the H. pylori infection was eradicated by antibiotics or hygienic countermeasures were introduced, the infection rate was reduced from 23% to 11% (CI95%: 3-25%) and to 0% (CI95%: 0-6%); p > .2 and p < .002, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that, although H. pylori has a very high contagiosity in closed communities, its spread can be reduced or even prevented by medication of the infected persons and/or by improving the hygienic conditions and introducing anti-infective sanitary regulations.
Fürész
József
J
Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Health Protection, Health Service of Hungarian Defense Forces, Budapest, PO Box 68, H-1555 Hungary.
Lakatos
Susan
S
Németh
Krisztina
K
Fritz
Péter
P
Simon
László
L
Kacserka
Katalin
K
D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D006920:Hygiene; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G