HELICOBACTER PYLORI, HEPATITIS VIRUSES A, C, E, ANTIBODIES AND HBsAg - PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS IN PEDIATRIC COMMUNITIES OF KARACHI.
OBJECTIVE
To document the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), Hepatitis A virus (HAV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies and Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), in the pediatric age group of low socioeconomic urban communities of Karachi and to identify risk factors associated with these infections.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Three selected squatter settlements of Karachi during April 2002 to December 2004.


METHODS
Three hundred and eighty children, ages 5 months to 15 years were investigated. Venous blood samples were collected and questionnaire filled on sociodemographic characteristics (family income, number of dependents in the family, area of living, number of people per room per house, and number of children sharing bed with parents and siblings). Gastrointestinal symptoms were recorded. Anti-HAV IgG (Hepatitis A virus IgG antibody), anti-HCV (Hepatitis C virus antibody), anti-HEV (Hepatitis E antibodies) and HBsAg, were analyzed by enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). Samples were also screened for anti-HIV1/2 (human immunodeficiency virus 1 and 2 antibodies by EIA. IgG antibodies against H. pylori were detected by immunochromatography.


RESULTS
A correlation between increasing age and seroconversion was seen for hepatotropic viruses. At 14 years and above,100% of the children were found to be positive for anti-HAV, 26% for anti-HEV, and 1.4%, for anti-HCV while HBsAg was positive in 1.9%. H. pylori infection did not show a significant increase with age. Both anti-HAV and anti-H. pylori were present simultaneously in 30% of the population investigated.


CONCLUSIONS
With age, increasing number of children acquired antibodies against hepatotropic viruses and H. pylori. Occurrence of HBsAg and anti-HEV at a later age suggests horizontal, rather than vertical transmission.
Aziz
Sina
S
Department of Pediatrics, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
Muzaffar
Rana
R
Hafiz
Saleem
S
Abbas
Zaigham
Z
Zafar
Mirza Naqi
MN
Naqvi
Syed Ali Anwar
SA
Rizvi
Syed Adeeb Ul Hasan
SA