Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Rapid Detection of Fecal Antigen of Helicobacter pylori Infection Based on Double Antibody Sandwich Detection Technology
03:33

Rapid Detection of Fecal Antigen of Helicobacter pylori Infection Based on Double Antibody Sandwich Detection Technology

Published on: May 23, 2025

Detection of Helicobacter pylori in the stools of newborn infants

Shigeru Fujimura1, Seiichi Kato, Ken Nagai

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Miyagi University, Sendai, Japan. hujimura@myu.ac.jp

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|November 17, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Helicobacter pylori DNA was detected in 30% of newborns using PCR, suggesting early transmission. Maternal antibodies correlated with higher infant detection rates, but infection was cleared within 24 months.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Helicobacter pylori is a common human pathogen.
  • The transmission route of H. pylori, especially in neonates, remains unclear.
  • Early life colonization may influence long-term infection establishment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the transmission route of Helicobacter pylori in neonates.
  • To determine the prevalence of H. pylori DNA in 3-day-old infants.
  • To explore the correlation between maternal antibodies and neonatal H. pylori detection.

Main Methods:

  • Stool specimens from 50 neonates were analyzed using stool antigen immunoassay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
  • Maternal urine samples were tested for anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies.
  • A follow-up study assessed H. pylori status in a subset of infants at 24 months.

Main Results:

  • H. pylori DNA was detected in 15 out of 50 neonates (30%) by PCR.
  • Only 1 neonate tested positive for stool antigen.
  • Neonates born to mothers with positive anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies showed a significantly higher detection rate (60%) compared to those with negative maternal antibodies (17%).
  • All 8 infants followed up at 24 months were negative for H. pylori by both PCR and stool antigen tests.

Conclusions:

  • PCR is a sensitive method for detecting H. pylori DNA in neonatal stool.
  • Maternal anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies may indicate a higher risk of neonatal H. pylori transmission.
  • Neonatal H. pylori infection appears to be transient, with spontaneous clearance within 24 months.

More Related Videos

Detection of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Antibiotic Resistance via Stool Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis04:56

Detection of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Antibiotic Resistance via Stool Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis

Published on: May 16, 2025

Rapid Detection of Helicobacter pylori Virulence and Typing Using Quantum Dot Labeling Technology05:13

Rapid Detection of Helicobacter pylori Virulence and Typing Using Quantum Dot Labeling Technology

Published on: June 13, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:28

Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) presents with diverse symptoms depending on the location and severity of the ulcer. Clinical manifestations of peptic ulcer include dull pain and a burning sensation in the mid-epigastric region.
Few clinical manifestations differentiate gastric ulcers from duodenal ulcers. Distinctions in the location, timing, and pain relief are crucial for healthcare providers in differentiating between gastric and duodenal ulcers during clinical assessments.
Treating Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcers: Antimicrobial Therapy01:16

Treating Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcers: Antimicrobial Therapy

Helicobacter pylori, a resilient gram-negative bacterium, can thrive in the stomach's harsh, acidic environment. Infection with H. pylori leads to a cascade of events within the stomach lining. One of the critical disruptions caused by this bacterium is the interference with somatostatin production, a hormone responsible for regulating acid secretion. This interference tips the balance, escalating acid secretion and diminishing bicarbonate levels. This imbalance compromises the defensive...
Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test01:30

Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test

Gastrointestinal (GI) diagnostic studies are pivotal in confirming, ruling out, diagnosing, or staging various diseases, including cancers. Following diagnosis, allocating time for discussions with the patient and providing informational resources is crucial. Diagnostic assessments of the GI tract often occur in outpatient settings like endoscopy suites or GI labs. Preparation for these tests may include dietary restrictions, fasting, liquid bowel preparations, laxatives, enemas, and the...
Peptic Ulcer01:27

Peptic Ulcer

Peptic ulcers are erosive lesions of the gastric or duodenal lining, most commonly caused by Helicobacter pylori infection. This Gram-negative, helical bacterium has adapted to survive the stomach’s acidic environment by producing urease, which converts urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide. The ammonia neutralizes gastric acid in the bacterium’s immediate environment, allowing colonization of the gastric mucosa. H. pylori attaches to mucus-secreting epithelial cells, penetrates the mucus...
Gastritis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Gastritis II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of gastritis begins with the colonization of the stomach lining by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This bacterium spreads mainly via the oral-oral route through saliva or shared utensils, and can also be transmitted in overcrowded or unhygienic environments through contaminated water, despite its brief survival outside the body.ColonizationOnce ingested, H. pylori enters the stomach and begins colonization by navigating through the mucus layer lining the stomach wall. It...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...