Sero-prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among asymptomatic healthy Omani blood donors

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, a crosssectional epidemiological study, based on the age and gender-specific seroprevalence of H. pylori antibodies in asymptomatic healthy Omani blood donors attending the SQUH blood bank. Methods: Analysis of the sera from 133 apparently healthy subjects, based on the serological determination of the IgM, IgG and IgA antibodies against H. pylori, was carried out using a commercially available kit ELISA (NovaLisa, NovaTec, Germany). While the presence of H. pylorispecific IgG antibodies is the marker for a "chronic" infection with this pathogen. Therefore, there was no indicator of the time of acquisition of the infection. However, the H. pylori-specific IgM antibody was a more specific marker for a recently acquired infection with H. pylori. Results: Of the 133 subjects, there were 100 (74%) males and 33 (26%) females. The age range was 15 to 50 years with a mean of 25.75依3.75 years. The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection in our study was 69.5%. The overall seroprevalence was found to be increased 69%-86% with age. Subjects between 15-20 years of age showed 71% seroprevalence, while those between 21-40 years showed gradual increase (63%-70%) with age and reached up to 87% in subjects between 41-50 years of age. A significant inverse association was found between sex and age groups. This is when each age group was examined individually; a higher positive percentage of H. pylori antibodies increasing with age was seen in males between 21-40 years of age group in comparison to the females of the same age group. Male subjects with age group between 21 to 40 years were found to have a significant seropositivity compared to the female subjects within the same group. This may reflect how frequent were the male subjects being exposed to the outer environment and their conduct than the females in this society like Oman. Conclusions: The seropositivity of H. pylori is moderately higher between ages of 21 to 30 more than any other age group.

Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Omani Children

“…There are no studies in the same age group in Oman to compare this result with. However, a recent seroprevalence study on adult blood donors between 18 and 50 years of age estimated prevalence to be 68% among 133 blood donors . They documented increment in seroprevalence with age.…”

“…H. pylori infection prevalence in Omani adults and children is not known. A recent study reported seroprevalence of 68% out of 133 blood donors . No data is available regarding H. pylori infection prevalence in Omani children.…”

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Diagnostic Methods in the Middle East and North Africa Region

“…While the majority of the studies included in this review did not find a significant relationship between gender and rate of infection, two studies by Soltani et al [22] and Al-Balushi et al [29] found that seropositivity was more widespread in male than in female participants.…”

Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori Among Asymptomatic Populations in Sana'a, Yemen

“…According to previous studies, Khat chewing had a positive association with gastrointestinal disorders such as dental problems, gastritis and constipation 6 . In a study conducted on healthy Omani blood donors, the overall prevalence for Helicobacter pylori was 69.5% 25 . In a study from India, 254 individuals were screened for Helicobacter pylori which were positive in 56.7% asymptomatic individuals 26 .…”