Evidence of mother-child transmission of Helicobacter pylori infection.
BACKGROUND
Low socioeconomical status is a major risk factor for natural acquisition of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in developing countries. Its transmission route is unknown but studies suggest person-to-person transmission.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate seropositivity of anti-H. pylori antibodies in family members of infected symptomatic index patients as compared to family members of symptomatic uninfected index patients.


METHODS
One hundred and twelve family members of 38 patients who underwent endoscopy to exclude peptic disease were studied. Patients were deemed H. pylori infected or not infected when rapid urease test and histology were both positive or both negative. The family members underwent ELISA serology using the Cobas Core II Kit (Roche) and were classified into three groups: I - 29 family members of 10 H. pylori (+) duodenal ulcer index patients; II - 57 family members of 17 H. pylori (+) index patients without duodenal ulcer; III - 26 family members of 11 H. pylori (-) index patients.


RESULTS
Seropositivity of group I and II (infected patients) was higher than the control group, 83% vs 38%, specially in mothers, 81% vs 18%, and in siblings 76% vs 20%. Differences between fathers' seropositivity was not statistically significant in the three groups: 100% vs 86% vs 70%. Seropositivity of all family members (mother, father and siblings) between infected group (I vs II) was similar.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of H. pylori infection was higher in family members of infected patients, but was similar among family members of infected patients with and without duodenal ulcer. H. pylori infection is more frequent in mothers and siblings of infected index children. A common source of infection cannot be excluded, but facts suggest that person-to-person transmission occurs, specially from mother to child.
Escobar
Mario Luis
ML
Department of Pediatrics, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, Brasil. escobargonzalez@uol.com.br
Kawakami
Elisabete
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial