Helicobacter pylori Seroprevalence in Symptomatic Veterans: A Study of 7310 Patients Over 11 Years

Abstract

Background and Aims: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection has been decreasing in the USA, but recent data are lacking. This study evaluates the seroprevalence for anti‐H. pylori antibodies in symptomatic veterans tested over the past 11 years. Materials and Methods: The same serum anti‐H. pylori IgG detection system has been used at a tertiary care Veterans Affairs hospital since late 1996. Results of all tests performed from 1997 to 2007 were analyzed. Results: Of 7310 unique patients tested, 3982 (54.5%) were positive. Seropositivity declined from 70.8% in 1997 to 48.6% in 2002, then reached a plateau around 50%. A strong birth cohort effect was present, from a seropositivity of 72.7% for the veterans born before 1920 to 22% for those born between after 1980. Conclusions: Despite a constant birth cohort effect, H. pylori seropositivity among symptomatic veterans leveled down at ~50% after declining steadily from 1997 to 2002.

Low prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among patients with inflammatory bowel disease

“…15 With increasing standards of hygiene in the general population, the rate of infections has dropped precipitously during the past decades in all western countries alike. [18][19][20] Consistent with these historical trends, the histological prevalence of H. pylori infection in our study was characterised by an age-dependent rise that was observed similarly in men and women. Previous studies have described a more pronounced age-dependent rise that involved all age-groups alike, 21 but the present agedistribution may represent a more current pattern.…”

“…In the majority of patients, however, exposure to H. pylori seems to occur during childhood . With increasing standards of hygiene in the general population, the rate of infections has dropped precipitously during the past decades in all western countries alike . Consistent with these historical trends, the histological prevalence of H. pylori infection in our study was characterised by an age‐dependent rise that was observed similarly in men and women.…”

FOXP3+ Regulatory T Cells in Children with Helicobacter Pylori Infection

“…Helicobacter pylori infection is acquired at an early age, prior to 10 years of age, especially in developing countries [2]. Its prevalence is high in developing countries and is influenced by race and socioeconomic and household conditions [3]. According to a recent study [4] of 5732 individuals within asymptomatic Korean populations, the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection was 66.9% in adults (16-79 years of age) and 17.2% in children (neonate to 15 years of age).…”

Changes in prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Japan from 2008 to 2018: a repeated cross-sectional study

“…To our knowledge, there have been no recent large-scale studies on the prevalence and time trend of infection rates of H. pylori in Japan 12–14. In addition, several studies have reported that the H. pylori infection rates become steady at approximately 10% in several low-prevalence regions, including European countries 10 15 16. Watanabe et al analysed the prevalence of H. pylori infection by birth year among first-visit outpatients between 2005 and 2013 in Nagoya, Japan.…”