Detection of anti-Helicobacter pylori IgG antibodies in healthy subjects

ABSTRACT

Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] are Gram - negative microaerophilic, spiral organisms. Factors such as family history of gastric disease, source of drinking water, number of siblings, sharing beds, and level of hygiene have been linked to acquisition of H. pylori infection. Most of the infected people do not have clinical symptoms. The study was planed to determine the level of anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies in the serum of healthy individuals. The study included 80 healthy subjects and was conducted in the Department of Immunology, University of Health Sciences Lahore. The studied population was divided on the basis of [a] eating food from outside home daily, twice a week or once a week, [b] using filtered or tap water for drinking, and [c] having family history of gastric ulcer or without family history of gastric ulcer. Level of anti H.pylori IgG antibody was determined by ELISA technique. Among 80 asymptomatic healthy individuals anti-H pylori IgG antibody was detected in 28 [35% subjects who did not have these antibodies [p-value < 0.001]. Mean level of anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies was 43 +/- 39.3 U/ml, 30.7 +/- 37.3 U/ml and 14.9 +/- 19.7 U/ml in subjects eating food from outside their homes once a week, twice a week and daily respectively. Statistically significant difference was observed in the level of H. pylori antibodies with different eating habits [p = 0.015]. However no statistically significant difference was observed in the level of anti-H. pylori antibodies between two genders, individuals using tap water and filtered water for drinking and with family history of gastric ulcer