RESUMEN
Helicobacter pylori is considered as one of the most common chronic bacterial zoonotic infections worldwide. H. pylori infection constitutes a public health hazard problem with a fatal sequele. This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of H. pylori among children and adults in Assiut Governorate in Upper Egypt and to evaluate the risk factors affecting the increase of infection. A total of 200 peripheral blood samples constituting 50 samples from children and 150 samples from adults were collected from hospital patients. A full detailed anamnestic and clinical assessment in the form of questionnaire was designed for each patient to determine the risk factors with specific emphasis to age, sex and residence. Seroprevalence of H. pylori IgG antibodies was evaluated by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. We estimated a seroprevalence rate of 75.5%. H. pylori exposure was higher in adults [79.33%] than in children [64%] and it was statistically significant. The seroprevalence of infection was higher in rural areas [87.3%] than in urban areas [40%]. H.pylori infection was prevalent among humans in the areas studied. Public health hazard of H. pylori infection and preventive measures to control the infection were discussed