title: Tonsillar colonization is unlikely to play important role in Helicobacter pylori infection in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine (i) seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in children undergoing tonsillectomy, (ii) possible HP colonization on tonsils of children and its importance in HP transmission, and (iii) if four examined socio-economic factors are the risk factors for HP transmission and HP colonization on tonsils in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rapid urease test (RUT) of tonsils, and serologic blood tests for HP were performed in 77 children (aged 4-14 years) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B-H), undergoing tonsillectomy. RUT positive tonsils were cultured for HP. RUT positive children were tested using (13)Carbon-urea breath test ((13)C-UBT). Information about socio-economic potential risk factors was obtained from the parents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 139 pharyngeal and palatine tonsils, 17 palatine tonsils in 14 children were RUT positive and had negative HP culture. Eight children had positive both RUT and (13)C-UBT. There was no significant difference between children with hypertrophy and those with recurrent tonsillitis comparing their serologic tests results. There was no significant difference between seronegative (n=61) and seropositive (n=16) children comparing their age, sex, parental education level, owning a family courtyard, attending a children's collective, and owning a pet cat.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results in this prospective study do not support the notion that tonsils are an important reservoir for HP transmission in children in B-H. The examined socio-economic factors did not enhance HP seropositivity rate in children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mostar University Hospital, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. slav.boris@tel.net.ba
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jelavic
authors.forename: Miljenko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bevanda
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ostojic
authors.forename: Miro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leventic
authors.forename: Mirjana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vasilj
authors.forename: Ervin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Knezevic
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery