Anti-Helicobacter pylori IgG levels in abattoir workers

The aim of our study was to detect antibodies against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in abattoir workers whose activity was variable (pig, poultry-carcasses, poultry-intestinal organs treatment). An adsorption of all sera with H. pylori and Campylobacter species known to be ubiquitous and responsible for zoonosis was included in the ELISA reaction to eliminate possible cross-reactions between these species. Statistically higher specific titres of IgG antibodies against H. pylori were observed in men and women who had only worked for 1 or 2 years versus matched controls, indicating a possible transmission of H. pylori from animal to man. The role of poultry or pigs as contaminants alone or in association remains to be determined.