title: Seroprevalence of hepatitis E and Helicobacter pylori in a low socioeconomic area of a metropolitan city in a developing country.
abstract: This study aims to determine the prevalence of coinfection of H. pylori and hepatitis E virus (HEV) in the paediatric age group in an urban slum area of Karachi and identify risk factors associated with co-infection. Five hundred and forty children aged one to 15 years were investigated. Blood samples were collected and questionnaires completed on socio-demographic characteristics. Anti-H. pylori, HEV IgG and IgM antibodies were analysed by enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). The seroprevalence of H. pylori antibody was 47.2%, while that of HEV IgG and IgM was 14.4% and 2.4%, respectively. 12.4% exhibited seroprevalence for both H. pylori and HEV (IgG). In 67 (26%) cases positive for H. pylori IgG, HEV IgG positivity was also seen (P < 0.001). Only 13 (5%) positive for H. pylori were also positive for HEV IgM (P < 0.001). Only 11 (4%) HEV IgG-positive cases were H. pylori antibody-negative (P < 0.001). Hepatitis E virus was common in children who had access to municipal piped water (P = 0.025). H. pylori was common in children who used a non-flush toilet system (P < 0.001). Children exposed to H. pylori infection were also exposed to the risk of HEV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jafri
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yakoob
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abid
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Awan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jafri
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hamid
authors.forename: S Q
authors.initials: SQ
authors.lastname: Nizami
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002947:Cities; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016752:Hepatitis E virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011204:Poverty Areas; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014038:Toilet Facilities; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014881:Water Supply