Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in a longitudinal study of New Zealanders at ages 11 and 21 |
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Authors: | J. P. Fawcett J. P. Shaw M. Brooke A. Walker G. O. Barbezat |
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Affiliation: | Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.;Associate Professor in Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.;Biostatistician, Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.;Senior Technical Officer, School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.;Professor of Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. |
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Abstract: | Background: Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence increases with age in adult life but spontaneous reversion may occur in childhood and adolescence. Aims: To determine the seroprevalence of H. pylori in a longitudinal study of New Zealanders at ages 11 and 21. Methods: Serum from members of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study (DMHDS) at age 11 (n=561; 303 males, 258 females) and 21 (n=785; 413 males, 372 females) was tested for H. pylori antibodies. A large proportion of those tested at age 11 was retested at age 21 (n=465; 262 males, 203 females). Serological status was examined in terms of gender, socioeconomic status (SES) and self-reported use of antibiotics. Results: The seroprevalence of H. pylori decreased by 38% from 6.6% (37/561) at age 11 to 4.1% (32/785) at age 21. Seroprevalence at age 11 was not associated with gender or SES. For those tested at both ages, the drop in seroprevalence from 6.7% to 4.1% was statistically significant (t=2.57, ρ<0.01, paired t-test) and was much greater in females (71%) than males (12%). Of the 31 seropositive individuals at age 11, 17 (six males, 11 females) seroreverted and self-reported antibiotic use in the year preceeding age 21 was more common in females (eight/11) than males (zero/six). Of die 434 seronegative individuals at age 11, only five (four males, one female) had seroconverted at age 21. Conclusions: Seroprevalence in the DMHDS declined from age 11 to 21 predominantly in females. The decline involved a greater rate of seroreversion and lower rate of seroconversion in females than males. |
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Keywords: | Helicobacter pylori serology longitudinal study seroconversion seroreversion. |
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