The All‐Age Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Potential Transmission Routes. A Population‐Based Study

Abstract

In our populations, with apparent high hygienic standards, the transmission of H. pylori infection may start not only in childhood, but also in adolescence, where potential transmission routes may be outdoor toilet use, private well water, and farm animals.

Decreasing prevalence of Helicobacter pylori according to birth cohorts in urban China

“…H. pylori acquisition is considered to almost exclusively occur during childhood and adolescence. Unless eradicated, it generally persists colonizing in the stomach as a chronic infection into adulthood (25,26). The acquisition rate of infection in the younger birth cohort was significantly lower than that reported in the previous generation as the living standards have improved in recent decades.…”

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori among Alaskans: Factors associated with infection and comparison of urea breath test and anti‐Helicobacter pylori IgG antibodies

“…Water source has been identified as a possible risk factor for H. pylori infection in other epidemiologic studies, and H. pylori organisms have been detected in a variety of water sources . We did not test water as part of this study; however, ingestion is not the only means of transmission potentially affected by water.…”

“…1 Other studies have shown intrafamilial clustering of infections 7-10 and in a previous study conducted in Alaska, household family members' infection status was associated with risk of becoming reinfected with H. pylori after successful eradication. 36 Water source has been identified as a possible risk factor for H. pylori infection in other epidemiologic studies, 32,[37][38][39][40] and H. pylori organisms have been detected in a variety of water sources. [40][41][42][43] We did not test water as part of this study; however, ingestion is not the only means of transmission potentially affected by water.…”

Helicobacter pylori infection in children

“…H. pylori infection was nearly undetectable (0.6%) among children from all age groups, whereas the prevalence was 20% in adolescents and up to 45% in the highest adult age group. The authors conclude that the transmission of H. pylori infection may have occurred not only during childhood, but also during adolescence …”