title: Helicobacter pylori and intestinal parasites are not detrimental to the nutritional status of Amerindians.
abstract: Gastrointestinal parasites have evolved with humans and colonize many asymptomatic subjects. We investigated the influence of microbial gastrointestinal colonization on the nutritional status of rural Amerindians (40 males and 61 females). Helicobacter pylori was detected by 13C-breath test, and intestinal parasites were detected in fecal specimens. Body morphometry and bioelectrical impedance measurements were measured. Although Amerindians showed low height and weight for age, they had an adequate body mass index, morphometric parameters, and cell mass. Intestinal parasites were detected in 99% of the subjects, with no detrimental effect on nutritional parameters. Helicobacter pylori was present in 82% of adults and half the children, and was positively correlated with improved nutritional status. Despite the high prevalence of gastrointestinal microbes often associated with disease, the studied population of Amerindians had a body morphometry and composition indicative of good nutritional status, and improved in children positive for gastric H. pylori.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Biology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy. emarini@unica.it
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marini
authors.forename: Ana L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Maldonado-Contreras
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cabras
authors.forename: Glida
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hidalgo
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Buffa
authors.forename: Aura
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Floris
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Racugno
authors.forename: Luis R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Pericchi
authors.forename: Maria E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Castellanos
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gröschl
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Blaser
authors.forename: María G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Domínguez-Bello
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000378:metabolism*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000378:metabolism*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin