Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infections in Thailand
Article Abstract:
Helicobacter pylori (Hp), formerly classified as Campylobacter pylori, has been associated with gastritis and peptic ulcers, especially in the developed countries of the world. Serologic studies have shown that specific antibodies to Hp are not commonly present during the first three decades of life. Rates begin to rise between ages 30 and 50 and the antibodies are present in up to 50 percent of the population by age 60. Hp colonization rates may vary in different ethnic groups. Rates for undeveloped or developing countries have not been reported. A highly sensitive and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed for Hp with essentially no cross-reactivity with other Campylobacter species. The ELISA procedure was used in a study of Hp prevalence conducted in Thailand. The study group included adults with clinically confirmed disease, children from an orphanage with endemic enteric disease, and cord blood from newborns. Controls were children with confirmed Campylobacter jejuni (Cj) infections. Antibodies to Hp were found at an earlier age among Thai patients, with 17.5 percent of children five to nine showing positive results, and this number increased to 55 percent during the third decade of life and peaked at 75 percent in the 30- to 49-year-old group. Seventy-five percent of the children from the orphanage between one and four were seropositive. Evidence of early acquisition of antibodies to other enteric disease was also revealed by this study. It is suggested that in developing countries, evidence of seropositivity at an earlier age may be a function of specific living conditions and local endemicity of disease. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Infectious Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0022-1899
Year: 1990
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Microvillus inclusion disease: an inherited defect of brush-border assembly and differentiation
Article Abstract:
Microvillus brush border disease in infants is characterized by severe diarrhea from birth. Microscopic examination of tissue from the intestines reveals abnormal brush border microvilli, which are structures on cells involved in the absorption of food. This appears to be different from other, structurally normal, diseases in that there is a complete inability to absorb any nutrients. The examination of characteristic features in nine cases of infants with microvillus inclusion disease reveals that this disease can be inherited from both parents. It is the most common cause of severe, untreatable diarrhea and is associated with a high death rate. Disease detection prenatally is not possible, and genetic counseling is recommended. There is no current treatment available; however, use of somatostatin is being investigated.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1989
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Teaching nurses the importance of microbiology for infection control. Quality of nursing at risk, warns RCN
- Abstracts: Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric carcinoma among Japanese Americans in Hawaii. Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and histologic gastritis in asymptomatic persons
- Abstracts: Seroprevalence and risk factors for HTLV-I/II infection among female prostitutes in the United States. Seroprevalence of HTLV-I and HTLV-II among intravenous drug users and persons in clinics for sexually transmitted diseases
- Abstracts: Immunotherapy for parasitic disease. Bacterial infections in patients with visceral leishmaniasis. Treatment of visceral leishmaniasis with pentavalent antimony and interferon gamma
- Abstracts: Acute effects of exercise on food intake in obese and nonobese women. Decreased thermic effect of a mixed meal during overnutrition in human obesity