[Epidemiology of H. pylori infection]

Prevalence rates and risk factors for H. pylori infection have been reported in many countries over the past year. Infection patterns in developed and developing countries are very different. Very high infection rates in developing countries with high incidence of gastric cancer were described, however, African enigma is still under controversy. The main risk factors for H. pylori infection are fecal-oral and oral-oral spread because H. pylori has not been detected to any extent in the environment. Recently, in childhood, main risk factors for transmission may be the contact with own father with H. pylori infection in Japan. Re-infection are very rare in adults, but not uncommon in childhood. Prevalence of H. pylori infection is reviewed.