A cohort study on Helicobacter pylori serology before and after induction in the Hellenic Navy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To determine whether military personnel are at increased risk of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in proportion to their occupation during their national service in the armed forces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 142 young male Hellenic Navy recruits (mean age, 23.6 years; range, 20-30 years). The first specimen was obtained during their induction into the Hellenic Navy, and the second was obtained after having served for 8 months in different services within Greece. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect HP-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies. Statistical analysis was performed using the sign test, logistic regression, and the chi 2 test. RESULTS: The crude seropositivity rate increased from 19.01% to 28.16% (p = 0.007). Of the 115 initially seronegative subjects, 17 (14.8%) seroconverted. The most important predictive variable for seroconversion was deployment in a crowded commission (> 20 subjects) combined with the absence of air conditioning in personnel sleeping quarters (p = 0.03, odds ratio = 3.14). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the risk of HP infection increases among 20- to 30-year-old individuals during their national service. Degrading environmental conditions may play a major role in HP transmission between young adults who serve in the armed forces.