A SEROEPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION IN A YOUNG ASYMPTOMATIC POPULATION IN TEHRAN

Helicobacter pylori is one of the world’s most common pathogens. It colonizes about 60% of the world population. There is very little data present on the prevalence of H. pylori infection among the healthy population in Iran. Our aim was to determine the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection among children and young adults in Tehran and its relationship with a number of sociodemographic factors. In a cross sectional investigation, the seroepidemiology of H. pylori infection was studied using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti H.pylori IgG in 431 asymptomatic 10 to 25-year old volunteers attending 5 out-patient clinics in Tehran. Among these subjects, 42.7% seropositive for H. pylori. There was an age-related increase in H. pylori infection and significant differences in H. pylori infection rate was demonstrated according to residential territory in Tehran, family size, parental educational level, economic status, water source and pet keeping. There was no significant difference in H. pylori infection related to gender. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that age, residential territory, family size, parental educational level, water source and keeping pets had the most significant association with H. pylori. It was concluded that the prevalence of H. pylori infection in Iran is generally higher than in developed countries and the rate of acquisition of H. pylori infection increases with age and it is inversely related to socioeconomic status.