Intrafamilial spread of Helicobacter pylori infection in Greece.
OBJECTIVE
To find out the role of family members in the Helicobacter pylori infection in childhood by investigating the incidence of infection within families of H. pylori-infected children.


BACKGROUND
H. pylori infection is usually acquired in early childhood and possibly family members are the main source of infection.


METHODS
One hundred consecutive children with upper gastrointestinal symptoms, without previous H. pylori eradication treatment were prospectively studied by gastroscopy and C-urea breath test. Simultaneously, all family members were studied by C-urea breath test regardless of earlier eradication treatment for H. pylori infection. The age of children and their parents, socioeconomic status, parents' education, and living conditions were recorded.


RESULTS
Forty-four index symptomatic children were infected by H. pylori. No statistical difference was found concerning demographic factors, between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative index children except age, which was higher in the H. pylori-infected children (P=0.009). In all H. pylori-positive and in 71.4% of the negative index children, at least 1 more family member was infected (P<0.001), always including a parent in the H. pylori-positive, compared with 69.6% in the H. pylori-negative group (P<0.001). The percentage of infected siblings, mothers and fathers was higher in H. pylori-infected index children (P<0.001, P=0.001, and P=0.035, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of H. pylori infection is significantly higher among families of infected index children. The presence of at least 1 infected family member in all H. pylori-positive index children suggests that the family could be the main source of H. pylori infection in children.
Roma
Eleftheria
E
First Department of Pediatrics University of Athens, Athens, Greece. roma2el@otenet.gr
Panayiotou
Joanna
J
Pachoula
Joanna
J
Kafritsa
Yota
Y
Constantinidou
Catherin
C
Mentis
Andreas
A
Syriopoulou
Vassiliki
V
D000293:Adolescent; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D015995:Prevalence; D035781:Siblings; D014508:Urea / Q000032:analysis; D055815:Young Adult
D014508:Urea