Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026
Retinal and Choroidal Thickness Changes in Populations with Helicobacter pylori Infection by Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: November 1, 2024
PREVALENCE OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION AMONG GASTROENTEROLOGISTS AND GASTROENDOSCOPISTS IN BRAZIL
Luiz Gonzaga Vaz Coelho1, Décio Chinzon2, Laércio Tenório Ribeiro3
1Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais/Ebserh, Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia; Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Insights
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection affects one in four Brazilian gastroenterologists, with prevalence increasing with age. Endoscopic procedures do not significantly increase H. pylori risk in these professionals.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections are common, often acquired in childhood.
- The occupational risk of H. pylori for gastroenterologists performing endoscopic procedures is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection among gastroenterologists and gastroendoscopists in Brazil.
- To assess if performing endoscopic procedures increases H. pylori occupational risk.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 286 Brazilian gastroenterologists and gastroendoscopists.
- Participants underwent a 13C-urea breath test (UBT) after a washout period for relevant medications.
- Demographic and professional data were collected via questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Overall H. pylori prevalence was 23.8% (68/286).
- Excluding prior treated infections, current prevalence was 25.1% (55/219).
- No statistically significant difference in H. pylori prevalence was found between those who performed endoscopic procedures (28.4%) and those who did not (23.2%).
Conclusions:
- H. pylori prevalence is moderate among Brazilian gastroenterologists, with approximately 25% infected.
- Infection rates increase with age and are higher in overweight/obese individuals.
- Performing endoscopic procedures does not appear to elevate H. pylori infection risk in this cohort.
Background:
Most Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections are acquired in childhood. It remains uncertain whether gastroenterologists involved in endoscopic procedures face an increased occupational risk of H. pylori.
Objective:
To determine H. pylori prevalence among gastroenterologists and gastroendoscopists in Brazil.
Methods:
A prospective, observational, non-interventional study was conducted during the 2022 Brazilian Digestive Disease Week meeting. Attendees were invited to undergo a 13C-urea breath test (UBT) to investigate their H. pylori status. The attendees completed a questionnaire regarding their demographic data and information about medical specialties and activities (gastroenterology or gastroendoscopy). This study included 286 participants (160 women, 126 men; mean age, 42 years; SD, 13, range 25-83 years) agreed to participate. 13C-urea breath test: Before the study, all participants abstained from proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 blockers for 1 week, and antibiotics for four weeks. The test was performed after at least one-hour of fasting using the BreathID HP Lab System® (Exalenz Bioscience, Israel, now Meridian Bioscience, USA), with a delta over baseline (DOB) ≥5‰ indicated H. pylori infection.
Results:
Among the 286 study participants, 218 tested negative and 68 tested positive with an overall prevalence of 23.8%. If we excluded all 67 participants who reported prior treatment for HP infection (54 HP-ve and 13 HP+ve) from the analysis of our sample, our sample of 219 participants presented a current prevalence of 25.1% (55 HP+ve and 164 HP-ve). The HP prevalence among participants who did or did not perform endoscopic procedures in their daily activities was 28.4% and 23.2%, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (P=0.39).
Conclusion:
The prevalence of H. pylori infection among Brazilian gastroenterologists is moderate, with one in four professionals still infected. H. pylori infection prevalence increases with age and is higher among overweight and obese individuals. Performing endoscopic procedures does not appear to increase the risk of infections among gastroenterologists in Brazil.
More Related Videos
05:23Gastric Mucosa Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis for Detecting Helicobacter pylori and Antibiotic Resistance
Published on: March 7, 2025
03:33Rapid Detection of Fecal Antigen of Helicobacter pylori Infection Based on Double Antibody Sandwich Detection Technology
Published on: May 23, 2025
Related Concept Videos
01:16Treating Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcers: Antimicrobial Therapy
01:28Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
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.
01:30Peptic Ulcer Disease I: Introduction
An acute ulcer, marked by superficial erosion and minimal inflammation, swiftly resolves upon identifying and addressing the underlying cause. In contrast, a chronic ulcer persists, potentially eroding through the muscular wall and forming fibrous tissue.
Peptic ulcers can also be...
01:26Endoscopic Procedures V: ERCP
Patient...
01:23Gastritis III: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Clinical manifestations of acute gastritis
The patient with acute gastritis may have a rapid onset of symptoms, such as epigastric pain or discomfort, dyspepsia, anorexia, hiccups, or nausea and vomiting, which can last from a few hours to a few days. Erosive or hemorrhagic gastritis may cause bleeding, which may manifest as blood in vomit or as...
01:29Endoscopic Procedures I: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
During an EGD, the endoscope can be used to: