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Helicobacter pylori in Gambian children with chronic diarrhoea and malnutrition
P B Sullivan1, J E Thomas, D G Wight
1MRC Laboratories, Fajara, The Gambia.
Insights
Helicobacter pylori infection is common in Gambian children, with infection rates increasing with age. This bacterial infection is linked to chronic diarrhea and malnutrition in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
- Global Health
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a significant human pathogen.
- Understanding H. pylori prevalence in developing countries is crucial for public health.
- Previous studies on H. pylori in young children in Africa are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Gambian children.
- To investigate the association between H. pylori infection and chronic diarrhea and malnutrition in infants.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gambian children.
- Antibody titers to H. pylori were measured using serological tests.
- Prevalence rates were analyzed based on age groups.
- Comparison was made between children with chronic diarrhea/malnutrition, healthy controls, and undernourished subjects.
Main Results:
- H. pylori seropositivity increased significantly with age, from 15% in infants under 20 months to 46% in those aged 40-60 months.
- Children with chronic diarrhea and malnutrition showed a higher seropositivity rate (53%) compared to healthy controls (26%) and undernourished subjects (24%).
- The mean age of infected infants with chronic diarrhea and malnutrition was 19 months.
Conclusions:
- Helicobacter pylori infection is highly prevalent in Gambian children.
- Infant H. pylori infection is strongly associated with chronic diarrhea and malnutrition.
- These findings highlight the importance of H. pylori screening in pediatric populations with gastrointestinal issues in endemic regions.
Abstract:
Infection with Helicobacter pylori (formerly Campylobacter pylori) was studied by measuring antibody titres to H pylori in Gambian children. Serological evidence of infection was found in 12 of 82 (15%) infants aged less than 20 months; this increased to 62 of 135 (46%) in those aged 40-60 months. Positive serology was found in 41 of 77 (53%) infants with chronic diarrhoea and malnutrition (mean age 19 months, range 5-36) compared with 18 of 70 (26%) of age matched healthy controls and nearly a quarter (12/49, 24%) of age matched undernourished (marasmic) subjects. These data show that infection with H pylori is common in the Gambia and that in infancy this infection is associated with chronic diarrhoea and malnutrition.