Helicobacter pylori occurrence and transmission: A family affair?

Abstract

About half of the world's population is estimated to be infected with Helicobacter pylori, a gastric bacterium that contributes to the development of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. H. pylori is more prevalent in low-income areas of the world and social and economic development decreases the prevalence as reflected in comparisons both within and between countries. The infection is typically acquired in early childhood and once established commonly persists throughout life unless treated. Person-to-person transmission within the family appears to be the predominant mode of transmission, particularly from mothers to children and among siblings, indicating that intimate contact is important. The route of transmission is uncertain, but the gastro-oral, oral-oral and faecal-oral routes are likely possibilities. Hence, gastroenteritis may facilitate dissemination of the infection. The community and environment may play additional roles for H. pylori transmission in some (low-income) settings. Furthermore, host and bacterial factors may modify the probabilities of acquisition and persistence of the infection. The understanding of H. pylori occurrence and transmission is of practical importance if future study deems prevention of the infection desirable in some high-prevalence populations. The present paper reviews aspects of H. pylori occurrence and transmission with an emphasis on household factors.

Perfil sociodemográfico e prevalència do helicobacter pylori em adultos portugueses.

“…There are many factors that intervene in the overall prevalence of infection, such as the lack of adequate sanitation, safe drinking water, basic hygiene, poor diets and overpopulation (Hunt et al, 2010). Intrafamilial transmission seems to be the main route for the acquisition of infection, mainly between mothers and children and between siblings, supporting the hypothesis that close contact is important for the transmission of the infection (Kivi & Tindberg, 2006).…”

Helicobacter Pylori Infection: We Should Always Verify the Intrafamilial Transmission

“…pylori infection is predominantly acquired in early childhood [3] and person-to-person contact within the family appears to be a key route for the transmission: oral-oral through vomiting or possibly saliva and dental plaque, faecal-oral, or gastrointestinal-oral [4]. However, the main source of the infection within family is not yet clear [5][6][7]. The more involved factor is the mother-child dyad: the oral secretions of the mother, which may be contaminated with H. pylori, can be transmitted to infant.…”

Analysis of immune responses againstH pyloriin rabbits

“…response occurred a few days after a new infection or after a booster dose of antigen with or without adjuvant, the subject had to mount a strong immune response IgG usually appears several days after H pylori infection in rabbits. But after eradication of H pylori, the drop in antibody titer is not significant until the 6 th mo in humans [24] . In the present study, specific IgG antibodies to H pylori were detected in rabbit sera with the help of enzyme immunoassay.…”