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Helicobacter pylori prevalence in healthy Mexican children: comparison between two non-invasive methods
Verónica I Martínez-Santos1, Manuel Hernández Catalán2, Luis Octavio Ojeda Salazar2
1Cátedras CONACyT-Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, México.
Insights
Stool antigen testing is the most feasible method for detecting Helicobacter pylori infection in asymptomatic children. This non-invasive approach showed higher detection rates compared to saliva or dental plaque PCR methods.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Diagnosing Helicobacter pylori in children is challenging due to reliance on invasive endoscopic procedures.
- Non-invasive methods offer a viable alternative but require validation for accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the agreement between H. pylori DNA detection in saliva and dental plaque via PCR and antigen detection in stool using immunochromatography.
- To evaluate non-invasive diagnostic methods for H. pylori in asymptomatic children in Guerrero, Mexico.
Main Methods:
- Collected saliva, dental plaque, and stool samples from 171 children aged 6-12 years.
- Utilized PCR with specific primers for the 16S rRNA gene to detect H. pylori DNA in saliva and plaque.
- Employed immunochromatography (CerTest kit) for H. pylori antigen detection in stool samples.
Main Results:
- Overall H. pylori prevalence was 59.6%, with higher rates in girls (64.7%).
- Detection rates varied: 18% in saliva, 28.1% in dental plaque, and 50.4% in stool samples.
- No significant correlation was found between H. pylori and reported dyspeptic symptoms.
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of H. pylori infection exists in asymptomatic children in this region.
- Stool antigen testing demonstrated the highest detection rate and is the most feasible method for H. pylori diagnosis in this population.
Background:
Helicobacter pylori detection in asymptomatic children with suspected infection or with symptoms that suggest gastric pathology is problematic, since most of the methods depend on the endoscopic study, an invasive and expensive method. Non-invasive methods can be a feasible alternative but must be validated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the concordance between H. pylori DNA detection in saliva and dental plaque by PCR, with antigen detection in stool by immunochromatography, among asymptomatic children in the state of Guerrero, Mexico.
Methods:
Dental plaque, saliva, and stool samples were obtained from 171 children between 6 and 12 years old. H. pylori detection in saliva and dental plaque was performed by PCR using specific primers for the 16S rRNA gene, while the detection in stool samples was performed by immunochromatography using the CerTest kit.
Results:
We found an overall H. pylori prevalence of 59.6% (102/171). Of the H. pylori positive children 18% (20/111) were positive in saliva samples, 28.1% (34/121) in dental plaque samples, and 50.4% (71/141) in stool samples. A higher prevalence was found in girls (64.7%, p = 0.002). Although some of the children declared some dyspeptic symptoms, these were no related to H. pylori. In conclusion, we found a high prevalence of H. pylori in asymptomatic children and the highest proportion was detected by stool antigen test, which was the most feasible method to detect H. pylori infection.
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