Gastroenteritis and Transmission of Helicobacter pylori Infection in households
Sharon Perry, Maria de la Luz Sanchez, Shufang Yang, Thomas D. Haggerty, Phillip Hurst, Guillermo Perez-Perez, and Julie Parsonnet
Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA; Santa Clara County Health and Hospital Systems, San Jose, California, USA; and New York University of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
Abstract
The mode of transmission of Helicobacter pylori infection is not yet defined. In Northern California, 2,752 people-household members were tested for H. pylori infection in serum or stool. They were tested at a baseline visit and again three months later at a follow-up visit. At baseline visit 1,752 persons were …show more content…
pylori infection and household gastroenteritis. Demographically, Hispanic immigrant families residing in South San Francisco Bay, has a high seroprevalence of H. pylori infection. Volunteers were selected from near-by community clinics, who complained of diarrhea, vomiting or both. Visits were made to the volunteers homes, they were interviewed regarding symptoms, onset, and duration of gastroenteritis within the previous 21 days. Both stool and blood samples were taken to test for H. …show more content…
pylori infection at baseline. A secondary analysis, was assessed and risk factors for all new infections, including possible new infections.
Results
From January 2000 to June 2004, a total of 1,186 household members were enrolled. These 1,186 households included 6,620 volunteers who participated in the first gastroenteritis interview and 4,334 who also gave specimens. Households wee predominately Spanish-speaking and of low income. Nearly three quarters of households had more than one H. pylori-infected household participant at the first visit.
Of enrolled households, 277 did not complete the second visit. Although the 909 households that did complete the study appeared somewhat smaller, the proportion of large households was not significantly different. Conversely, enrollments were similar, although completing households were somewhat more likely to enroll more thatn the minimum of 2 participants. Households that did not complete the study wee also more likely to have been referred through an emergency department but were similar in mumber of children enrolled, primary household language, sleeping density, educational attainment, and prevalence of H. pylori