Intrafamillial Clustering ofHelicobacter pyloriInfection in Saubi Arabia

Abstract

AIM: To study the pattern ofHelicobacter pyloriinfection among family members in the Saudi population.METHODS: A cross-sectional, population-based, seroepidemiological study of family members was undertaken in a Saudi population using salivaH pyloriimmunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies (Helisal kit).RESULTS: A total of 42 families comprising 271 children and 84 parents were studied (355 subjects; mean age 23 years, SD 19 years) The overall frequencies ofH pyloriIgG antibodies in mothers, fathers and children were 67%, 64% and 23%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the infection rate between mothers and fathers, or between boys and girls. The infection rate among children increased when one or both parents were seropositive, and the infection rate among parents was proportionally related to the number of infected children per family. The frequency ofH pyloriantibodies was significantly higher in spouses of seropositive parents than in spouses of seronegative parents (45% compared with 19.2%).CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm that the intrafamilial clustering ofH pyloriinfection in Saudi Arabia occurs in a similar pattern to that described in the developed countries, and that living conditions and social conditions lead to person to person transmission ofH pyloriinfection.