ABSTRACT
The seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to Helicobacter pylori and antischistosomal antibodies were determined by the ELISA technique in the sera of 140 healthy asymptomatic subjects and 22 patients who underwent endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal symptoms. The overall prevalence of H. pylori in the asymptomatic group was 82.9% and 95.45% in the patients group. The incidence increased by age reaching its peak in the third decade and 50% of the studied children below 10 years old were seropositive. The seroprevalence of H. pylori antibodies had no relation to sex, habit of smoking or infection with Schistosoma mansoni. These data suggest that the serological tests for diagnosis of H. pylori infection are not recommended for developing countries hyperendemic for parasitic and diarrheal diseases due to the early acquisition of infection during childhood