RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) is a common bacterial infection that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. This bacterium causes a chronic infection that is causally related to illnesses ranging from gastritis, peptic ulcer disease to gastric cancer. It is generally considered that it is acquired in childhood but the prevalence varies considerably between countries and communities. There are few data on the prevalence of H pylori in the Caribbean and none on the prevalence of H pylori in children in the Bahamas. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the prevalence of H pylori infection in a cohort of school children in the Bahamas. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-one children attending a public primary school in the Bahamas were invited to participate in this study. Consent was obtained for 107 children and each participant completed a brief questionnaire. Valid data were available for 96 of these children. Active H pylori infection was determined using the 13C urea breath test (UBT). RESULTS: Fifty-two children tested positive for H pylori, yielding a prevalence of 54.2%. The median age in the study was nine years with 46.9% male and 53.1% female. No significant relationship was found between gender, breastfeeding, pets and H pylori status. CONCLUSION: The prevalence reported in this study is the highest reported in asymptomatic children in the Caribbean. Further studies are required to determine risk factors for acquisition of H pylori infection in this population.
OBJETIVO: Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) es la causa de una infección bacteriana común a nivel mundial, asociada con una morbosidad y mortalidad significativas. Esta bacteria causa una infección crónica que se haya causalmente relacionada con un número de enfermedades que van desde la gastritis y la úlcera péptica hasta el cáncer gástrico. Generalmente se considera que es adquirida en la niñez, pero la prevalencia varía considerablemente entre los países y comunidades. Hay pocos datos con relación a la prevalencia de H pylori en el Caribe, y no existe ningún dato sobre la prevalencia de H pylori en los niños de Bahamas. El objetivo de este estudio piloto fue determinar la prevalencia de la infección por H. pylori en una cohorte de niños escolares en la Bahamas. MÉTODOS: Ciento sesenta y un niños que asistían a una escuela primaria pública en Bahamas, fueron invitados a participar en este estudio. Se obtuvo consentimiento para 107 niños, y cada participante respondió a una breve encuesta. Había datos válidos disponibles para 96 de estos niños. La infección activa por H pylori fue determinada usando la prueba de aliento con urea-13C (UBT). RESULTADOS: Cincuenta y dos niños resultaron positivos a la prueba de H pylori, para una prevalencia de 54.2%. La edad promedio de la población en estudio fue de nueve años, con un 46.9% de varones y un 53.1% de hembras. No se halló ninguna relación significativa entre el género, la lactancia materna, las mascotas, y la condición del H pylori. CONCLUSIÓN: La prevalencia reportada en este estudio es la más alta que se haya reportado en niños asintomáticos en el Caribe. Se requieren estudios ulteriores a fin de determinar los factores de riesgo que conducen a la infección por H pylori en esta población.
Asunto(s)
Niño , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Infecciones por Helicobacter/epidemiología , Helicobacter pylori , Bahamas/epidemiología , Lactancia Materna/estadística & datos numéricos , Pruebas Respiratorias , Isótopos de Carbono , Estudios de Cohortes , Agua Potable , Infecciones por Helicobacter/diagnóstico , Proyectos Piloto , Prevalencia , Factores de Riesgo , Urea/análisisRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) is a common bacterial infection that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. This bacterium causes a chronic infection that is causally related to illnesses ranging from gastritis, peptic ulcer disease to gastric cancer. It is generally considered that it is acquired in childhood but the prevalence varies considerably between countries and communities. There are few data on the prevalence of H pylori in the Caribbean and none on the prevalence of H pylori in children in the Bahamas. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the prevalence of H pylori infection in a cohort of school children in the Bahamas. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-one children attending a public primary school in the Bahamas were invited to participate in this study. Consent was obtained for 107 children and each participant completed a brief questionnaire. Valid data were available for 96 of these children. Active H pylori infection was determined using the 13C urea breath test (UBT). RESULTS: Fifty-two children tested positive for H pylori, yielding a prevalence of 54.2%. The median age in the study was nine years with 46.9% male and 53.1% female. No significant relationship was found between gender breastfeeding, pets and H pylori status. CONCLUSION: The prevalence reported in this study is the highest reported in asymptomatic children in the Caribbean. Further studies are required to determine risk factors for acquisition of H pylori infection in this population.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por Helicobacter/epidemiología , Helicobacter pylori , Bahamas/epidemiología , Lactancia Materna/estadística & datos numéricos , Pruebas Respiratorias , Isótopos de Carbono , Niño , Estudios de Cohortes , Agua Potable , Femenino , Infecciones por Helicobacter/diagnóstico , Humanos , Masculino , Proyectos Piloto , Prevalencia , Factores de Riesgo , Urea/análisisRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: A number of studies have evaluated Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in the Caribbean. However to date there is no available epidemiological data on its occurrence in the Bahamas. Therefore, we determined the seroprevalence of H. pylori in a healthy adult population in Nassau, Bahamas. METHODS: A prevalence study was conducted using volunteer blood donors to the blood bank at Princess Margaret Hospital, the only public hospital in Nassau, Bahamas. Sera collected were screened using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antibodies to H. pylori. RESULTS: Two hundred and four persons were screened for H. pylori in this study Prevalence of H. pylori in the study population was 58%. CONCLUSION: Helicobacter pylori infection is a common chronic infection in Nassau, Bahamas. Published seroprevalence rates for this infection in other Caribbean territories range from 55% to 70%.