Helicobacter pylori infection among school children in Alexandria: Possible association with intestinal parasitic infections

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted on 170 pupils of a primary school in Backos area of Alexandria, Egypt. A complete clinical examination was undertaken together with a thorough past and family history taking. The children completed a pre-designed questionnaire regarding some socioeconomic data and past medical history. A stool examination was carried out to detect different parasitic infections. Helicobacter pylori infection was diagnosed immunologically by the detection of anti-H. Pylori IgG antibodies in salivary samples using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. The results revealed that the prevalence of H. Pylori among the examined pupils was 27.1%. Boys were more infected than girls [32.5% vs. 22.2%]; however, the gender effect was not statistically significant. Age was more important as an epidemiologic determinant and H. Pylori infection increased significantly with age. Of the socioeconomic factors investigated, the education of parents, especially mothers, was the most important and H. Pylori infection increased significantly with the decrease of the level of mother's education. A degree of association, which was not statistically significant, was found between H. pylori infection and intestinal parasitic infections, especially helminths as Ascaris, Trichuris, Hymenolepis and Fasciola sp. Suggesting the fecal-oral route of transmission, role of food and the effect of household environment and food hygiene